Foundation repair in NC

Tar Heel Basement Systems Welcomes Foundation Supportworks' Ray Brown

Fri, November 2 2012, 00:00:00 -500

As a certified Deluxe Dealer and installer for Basement Systems, Inc. and Foundation Supportworks, Inc., Tar Heel Basement Systems is privy to state of the art products and training. One of the greatest perks and reason Tar Heel Basement Systems has become so successful is because of the strong Deal Support Network that is at their side to help.

Ray Brown, Product Installation Manager for Foundation Supporworks, Inc., made a surprise visit to Boone, NC on his way down to Georgia to participate in a marathon. The Tar Heel Basement Systems team welcomed Ray with open arms, particularly Owner, Pete Burgess, and Production Manager, Anthony Cass. While Ray was only dropping by the office for a few hours, he answered numerous questions about upcoming foundation projects and even went out to a potential installation site to give his expert advice. Before leaving, Ray purchased breakfast for the entire office and said to "keep up the great work!"

Ray Brown's visit only reiterates the fact that Tar Heel Basement Systems is part of one of the strongest dealer networks in the world! The constant training and support from Basement Systems and Foundation Supportworks, Inc. contributes to the continuous growth and success of the company.

To learn more about Tar Heel Basement Systems' foundation solutions, please visit foundation repair.

Tar Heel Basement Systems is Moving Out and Up

Wed, September 26 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Since starting the company in 2003, Owner, Pete Burgess has experienced nothing but growth and expansion. He has taken on a new company name, increased products and services, jumped from 2 to 25 employees, extended service territories, and now Tar Heel Basement Systems is moving on up and into a larger facility.

With sales and production nearly doubling, Tar Heel Basement Systems has outgrown their 3,000 sq. ft. warehouse in just a year's time. In order to facilitate the products and employees, the company will move all operations into a 7,000 sq. ft. building beginning October 1st.

While the move is a bit cumbersome, all members of the Tar Heel Basement Systems team have chipped in to assist in the move. Owner, Pete Burgess, Production Manager Anthony Cass, and General Manager William Blake, have spent many hours constructing new offices in the new building. In the meantime the rest of the company has taken on the role of the packing crew. With everyone on board, the move has gone very smoothly and hopes to be completed by the end of the week.

Please visit, Tar Heel Basement Systems to learn more about the company and possible job opportunities with the areas most successful home repair company. They fix wet basements, crawl spaces and foundation problems in the greater Triad.

Veteran of Foreign War- Post 7031 Foundation Repair

Tue, September 18 2012, 16:32:21 -500

The VFW Post 7031 has been experiencing cracking in the foundation walls of the crawl space. The cracks seemed to be getting worse over the years. The crawlspace wall had settled a total of 1.55” due to ongoing erosion and poor drainage away from the building. The problem was escalating so rapidly that the cracks had traveled 17 ft. from the corner of the foundation and caused the footing to be exposed.

Some Push Piers Fail Over a Time

Tue, September 18 2012, 00:00:00 -500

In our business we find in many cases where we have to RE-install a repair product because the intital or first system failed. Below you will find an excellent example of a push pier system that is inerted beneath the footing and has rods driven deep into the earth's soil that failed due to improper installation.

The key component to these systems are a re-inforcing tube that is inserted at the beginning of the installation. If the tube is not used the push becomes brittle at the top and will bend over time.

These small details such as reinforcing tubes, galvenized hardware, and trained employees are just a few reasons why Tar Heel Basement Systems can fix the job right from the beginning and save you the headache of doubling down on your foundation repair.

Bowing and Shearing Basement Walls in King, NC

Wed, September 12 2012, 14:54:30 -500

Customer inherited this property from his late parents. The home was outdated and had major issues in the basement, including water intrusion, foundation cracks and wall shearing. The homeowners decide they need to take care of the foundation and water issues if they had any hopes of renting or eventually selling the home.

Tar Heel Basement Systems Helps Out VFW Post

Wed, September 12 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Tar Heel Basement Systems, as some of you may know, is a Veteran-owned company which is why we didn't hesitate when the Boone Chapter Veterans of Foriegn Wars (VFW) asked us to help them with a foundation settlement problem. The foundation along the crawl space portion of the VFW building had settled due to ongoing erosion and the footing was exposed in numerous areas.

This part of the building had up to a 2 INCH DROP! Johnathon of our Foundation crew was able to give the VFW a lift using our Foundation Supportworks: Push Pier system and lifted the foundation back to its original position.

This was just another way Tar Heel Basement Systems says thanks to the folks in our Military.

Feel free to view other projects like this at our photo gallery or case studies on similar repairs.

Wall Anchors - Geo Lock - Steele Residence

Fri, September 7 2012, 14:20:49 -500

June 2012 -- The Steele residence is a ranch style home with a full basement and brick foundation. Due to the hydrostatic pressure from the surrounding soil and extensive number of tree roots putting pressure on the foundation walls, the basement walls were showing horizontal and stair-step cracking, along with bowing. After spending thousands of dollars to make the home handicap accessible, homeowners wanted a fast and permanent solution for their foundation problems.

Foundation Wall Anchors in Julian, NC

Fri, September 7 2012, 14:16:05 -500

May 2012 --

The W. residence was built in 1999 and contains two cinder block retaining walls. They began to notice one of the retaining walls had stair case cracks and was beginning to lean. The wall was attached to the back of the home and causing the siding to shift.

In addition, the homeowners had been experiencing quite a bit of water intrusion in their basement. Homeowners planned to turn basement into a hair salon so they needed it waterproofed and the outdoor retaining wall stabilized.

Sagging Crawl Space Ceiling and House Floors

Fri, September 7 2012, 14:12:43 -500

April 16, 2012 -- The B. family has lived in their Abington home, built in 1999, for close to 10 years. Over the years, they began to notice their hardwood floors begin to severely sag in the center and the molding separate from the floor and ceiling. The footers of the original concrete piers had settled nearly 2 inches over the years.

Helical Piers - Combs’ Chicken House

Fri, September 7 2012, 14:06:27 -500

April 2012 -- Vickie Combs owns and operates a 1022’ long chicken house, which houses over 11,000 chickens. Only 2 years after construction, she began to notice settlement in the center of the structure on both sides.

The settlement extended 55’ on each side and was so severe that it caused equipment failure within the building. Soil beneath the structure consisted mainly of red clay and sandstone/shale.

Poor backfill of this soil caused nearly 5 inches of settlement in the center of the chicken house. Upon noticing a crack in the foundation and the increasing equipment failure, Ms. Combs called Tar Heel Basement Systems to solve the problem.

Model 288 Push Piers - Duong Residence

Fri, September 7 2012, 13:53:54 -500

March 14, 2012 -- The Duongs were in the process of trying to sell their home when they noticed the laminate in their kitchen begin to converge upward. After pulling the laminate back, they realized there was a severe crack traveling through the center of their kitchen floor. The crack made its way to the exterior of the home, below the kitchen window. The settlement in the foundation was cause by weak bearing soil, red clay, was not capable of supporting the weight of the structure. The footing began to press or sink into the soil causing nearly an inch of settlement.

Helical Piers - Stevens Residence

Wed, September 5 2012, 16:57:52 -500

February 2012 -- The Stevens home was built in 1977, with a porch converted to kitchen in 2000. Signs of foundation settlement were noticed within a few years of renovation. Cracks were noticed in the concrete slab and above sink window, sliding windows became unable to open and close, and a 3” settlement became apparent in the kitchen corner.

Window Cracks - Yates Residence

Wed, September 5 2012, 16:39:34 -500

December 2011 -- The Yates home is a one‐story brick home, built in 1950. Poor drainage caused soil settlement, thus resulting in the footing settling also. The homeowner noticed cracks beneath the bay window which was added to the original structure. The Yates considered cosmetically covering the cracks, but felt the problem would have a negative effect on the value of their home. They plan on downsizing within the next 5 years and chose Tar Heel to do the project because reputation and product superiority.

Commercial Chicken House Settlement

Fri, August 24 2012, 13:04:48 -500

Vickie C. owns and operates a 1022’ long chicken house, which houses over 11,000 chickens. Only 2 years after construction, she began to notice settlement in the center of the structure on both sides. The settlement extended 55’ on each side and was so severe that it caused equipment failure within the building. Soil beneath the structure consisted mainly of red clay and sandstone/shale. Poor backfill of this soil caused nearly 5 inches of settlement in the center of the chicken house.

Mountain Home with Sinking Deck in Boone

Fri, August 24 2012, 12:10:43 -500

This family's summer home was built four years ago and already shows signs of significant settlement. Poor backfill and the unique location of the home, on the side of a mountain, caused the two-story deck to sink nearly 6 inches. Each deck post rests on a concrete retaining wall block that was surrounded by uncompact soil, causing the posts to rotate outward.

Parking Lot Retaining Wall

Thu, August 9 2012, 15:23:05 -500

Property Manager called about a 100 ft. parking lot retaining wall that has been compromised. The issue is that the retaining wall is leaning severely, about 4-5 inches over the past year. The property contains 3 apartment buildings and the retaining wall was constructed because of the severe slope alongside the parking lot. Only 3 dead-man anchors were identified in the initial retaining wall installation. The diagnosis for the wall’s failure was a combination of poor drainage, soil expansion and improper installation.

Identifying a Foundation Problem

Fri, March 23 2012, 00:00:00 -500

These windows are so hard to open. What does that crack in the wall mean? Why is this floor becoming uneven? Why are nails popping out of the sheetrock and in those corners? These are just some of the questions that a quarter-million homeowners annually are faced with. But are these occurrences typical and normal in every house, to be expected and unconcerned about or are they signals of a more serious issue?

It can be difficult for today’s homeowners to recognize if their house is in need of foundation repair. The answer of course is best determined by a professional foundation repair contractor. Early warning signs do exist, however, and some can be detected without a microscopic look; simply paying attention to everyday tasks provides important clues. Below is a list of signs to look for.

Exterior indications of foundation problems

Doors that do not open or close properly

Gaps at the corner of fascia trim

Diagonal cracks in the wall at corners of doors and windows

Gaps between the garage door and the pavement at either side of the garage door

Windows that are difficult to open and close

Cracks in the exposed grade beam of the house

Cracks in bricks and mortar

Interior indications of foundation problems

Uneven floors
Large cracks in the concrete slab
Gaps above kitchen cabinets
Cabinet doors that will not stay shut
Diagonal cracks in the wall at corners of doors and windows
Curling, tearing and separating of wallpaper and existing sheetrock repairs
Leaks and cracks in and around the fireplace

Exterior or interior indications of foundation problems could be caused by either settlement or upheaval. Settlement means a portion of the house foundation has dropped below the original foundation elevation. This occurs due to a loss of soil bearing capacity caused by compaction of fill, loss of moisture in the supporting soil, or due to the erosion of the supporting soil. In many cases, settlement originates and is more pronounced at the perimeter of the slab since the slab perimeter is the most susceptible to the loss of moisture and differential moisture conditions.

Upheaval means the slab has risen above the original foundation elevation. This happens most often due to the introduction of moisture under the foundation. The most frequent cause of this moisture is a plumbing leak under the slab. The most common leak is on the drain side of the plumbing system.

Note that some damage is strictly "cosmetic" damage that does not interfere with the foundation's load bearing capacity. These "cosmetic" items could be cracks in floor tiles, cracks in sheetrock, or similar situations. A qualified foundation repair contractor can help you determine if the problems you are faced with are cosmetic or will require foundation repair.

Foundation problems only worsen with time. The sooner they are addressed, the less costly they will be. Properly done by a reputable foundation repair contractor, foundation repairs are essential to protecting your biggest investment, your home’s value and your family.

For foundation repair in Chapel Hill, Durham, Greensboro, Raleigh and nearby NC, contact [dealer] today!

Finding the Best Foundation Repair Contractor

Fri, March 23 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Foundation work is professional work. Leaving it to the pros is good advice. When searching for a foundation contractor, obtaining proposals and assessments from three different companies is the recommended standard practice. Keep these tips in mind as the interview process begins.

Educate yourself on foundation repair methods and ask questions. Making a final decision based on advertising and cheap prices is a mistake.

Do business with a contractor whose methods are evaluated by the ICC-ES (International Code Council Evaluation Services), a non-profit organization that ensures building products meet code requirements.

A reputable foundation contractor will have a clause for the depth of the hydraulic piling, beyond which there is often an additional charge. If the contractor does not have this clause, he is likely to prematurely stop at the required depth for your particular job so he does not incur a loss.

A foundation job may require removal of landscaping in the work areas and the contractor, typically, will not guarantee the survival of a shrub or bush after moving or replacing it.

Pay attention to warranties and guarantees; understanding their terms is critical for a successful working relationship. Look for an established national company that provides follow-up service.

Nine Questions to Ask Your Foundation Repair Contractor

How are company employees hired and trained?
- Full background checks and drug screening are standard practice; ask about on-going training and certifications.
Are your services approved by ICC-ES?
What types of foundation piles do you have available to use?
- Different foundation issues require different foundation piles.
Do the products and materials that will be used hold patents?
- Count on a ‘yes’ for the most innovative and best products.
What is the warranty on products and services?
- Look for this as part of the contract.
Will you provide a written estimate of material and labor costs on a timely basis?
Do employees have proper insurance including liability and workers’ compensation?
Can you provide a list of references of recent and on-going work?
- Checking references is one of the best, hands-on ways to learn about a foundation repair contractor. Check with the Better Business Bureau, too.
Exactly, in detail, what work are you recommending and what is the timeframe for completion of the job?

After getting answers to these questions, you will have gained further knowledge and feel confident to take the next step, the inspection.

What To Expect During the Inspection

A visual inspection of the home with your input so that the contractor understands the parts of the foundation that are involved.
Measurement and graphically depicting the actual dimensions of the house aid in the evaluation.
Measurements of exterior foundation elevations and interior floor elevations so that any changes in floor surfaces can be noted.
Indications of cracks and foundation failure on the service plan profile.
A completed service plan that includes a description of the problems discovered and a thorough explanation of the recommended course of action to correct the issues. Details about the placement of pilings and structural loads for safety assurance should be included.
The estimated cost for services to complete the repair.

The value of a home’s foundation cannot be underestimated. Educate yourself with this information and be assured of finding the best foundation repair contractor.

TarHeel Basement Systems specializes in foundation repair in Raleigh and other surrounding areas. Visit them online for a free estimate

Veteran Remembers His Own

Tue, March 20 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Boone, NC - Tar Heel Basement Systems, headed by businessman and veteran Pete Burgess, has donated to Blue Star Mothers of the High Country, a non-profit comprised of mothers of military personnel. The donation helps the organization in its efforts to honor and support families of the military.

Prior to founding Tar Heel, Pete Burgess completed his Navy ROTC training at the University of North Carolina while earning a BA in Political Science. He was commissioned an Ensign, USNR for three years of service, first assigned to the USS Somers (DDG-34) as assistant Combat Information Officer. For the next 2 1/2 years, Burgess was promoted in rank to Lieutenant Junior Grade, Combat Information Officer and Officer of the Deck, Fleet Steaming. On a six-month deployment to the Vietnam war, the ship functioned as an anti-aircraft deterrent and rescue ship for aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin. Upon his return to the U.S., Burgess continued his education, earning an MBA from Northwestern University.

With his solid business education, veteran and leadership experience and an equally important desire to community welfare, Burgess started Tar Heel Basement Systems. He strongly believes in the benefits of a healthy living environment for homeowners.

Blue Star Mothers of the High Country serves the northwestern North Carolina counties of Ashe, Watauga and Avery with the goal of providing support to families of soldiers, soldiers and veterans. Affiliated with the national Blue Star Mothers of America, BSMHC is comprised of mothers who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the military. Local meetings, held at Perkinsville Baptist Church, are open to anyone interested.

Tar Heel Basement Systems specializes in crawl space moisture management, basement waterproofing, basement finishing, radon mitigation, and foundation repair in NC. As part of the national network of Basement Systems, Inc., they are able to provide homeowners with high quality and up-to-date resources. Their service area covers North Carolina and Virginia.