Journal
The foundation field notes.
Plain-English guides on costs, cracks, causes, piers, crawl spaces, drainage, sinkholes, engineers, buying a home and hiring, written for Tennessee.
Moisture & DrainageA Seasonal Foundation Checklist for Tennessee HomeownersA simple spring, summer, fall and winter routine that spots problems early and keeps water away.
Hiring & BuyingBuying a House with Foundation ProblemsHow to evaluate cracks and sloping floors before you buy, and how to use repair estimates in negotiation.
Hiring & BuyingHow to Choose a Foundation Contractor in TennesseeQuestions to ask, red flags to avoid and what a trustworthy estimate looks like.
Hiring & BuyingDo You Need a Structural Engineer for Foundation Problems?When an engineer's report is worth it, what it includes and how it differs from a contractor's inspection.
Repair MethodsMudjacking vs Polyurethane Foam LiftingTwo ways to raise sunken concrete: how they work, how they differ and how to choose.
Moisture & DrainageProtect Your Foundation with Gutters and GradingThe cheapest foundation insurance: clean gutters, long downspouts and soil that slopes away from the walls.
Moisture & DrainageHow to Dry a Wet Basement or Crawl SpaceA practical order of operations: find the source, move the water, seal the surfaces and dry the air.
Moisture & DrainageIs Crawl Space Encapsulation Worth It in Tennessee?How encapsulation works, what it costs, what it prevents and when it makes sense in Tennessee's humid climate.
Signs & CausesSinkholes and Karst in Tennessee: What Owners Should KnowWhy limestone country has sinkholes, how to spot early signs and what to do if one opens near your home.
Signs & CausesWhy Tennessee Clay Moves FoundationsExpansive clay, red hillside soils and loess explain much of what cracks houses in Tennessee, and what helps.
Repair MethodsHelical Piers vs Push Piers vs Slab PiersHow the three main piering methods differ, and which one suits a house, a slab or a porch.
Signs & CausesFoundation Cracks: What They Mean and What to DoVertical, horizontal, diagonal and stair-step cracks each have a likely cause. Learn how to read them.
Signs & Causes10 Signs Your Foundation Is in TroubleCracks, sticking doors, sloping floors and the other warning signs that mean it is time for an inspection.
Costs & PlanningHow Much Does Foundation Repair Cost in Tennessee?Commonly published ranges for crack repair, piers, wall bracing, slab lifting and waterproofing, what drives the price and how to…