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ASFR with Andy Wise.

How to Choose the Right Foundation Repair Company

When it comes to the safety and value of our homes, maintaining a strong foundation is paramount. However, it’s a subject that many homeowners often overlook until severe issues surface. At American Standard Foundation Repair, we are committed to safeguarding your home by providing top-notch, long-lasting repair services. Our team is trained to deliver exceptional services to ensure the integrity and longevity of your home.

Understanding The Tennessee Region’s Soil Challenges

The state of Tennessee has a diverse geographical landscape, which leads to a variety of soil types across the region. This diversity can pose unique challenges. Some areas are rich in clay, which is highly reactive to changes in moisture content. When wet, clay soils expand, and when dry, they contract. This constant shifting can exert pressure on the foundations, causing them to crack or even shift. 

Moreover, Tennessee’s weather patterns often swing between periods of heavy rain and dry spells. These drastic changes in weather conditions can cause the soil to alternately expand and contract, leading to unstable ground conditions. When foundations are subject to these movements over a prolonged period, it can lead to significant issues such as settlement, cracks, and in severe cases, structural failure. By understanding these soil and weather conditions, we can anticipate and manage potential problems, allowing us to mitigate risks before they escalate into bigger issues.

Misuse of Products: The Hidden Culprit Behind Failures

A disturbing trend in our industry is the preference for cheaper, locally available products in a bid to maximize profit margins. These products may be readily available and cost-effective for the repair companies, but they often fail to meet the specific requirements of foundation repair.

When such products are used, they may appear to resolve the issue in the short term, but over time, they often prove ineffective. This can result in the original problem resurfacing, or worse, it can lead to additional damage. Eventually, homeowners may find themselves having to address the same issue again, which can be both frustrating and costly.

Our Dedication to Quality: Our Response to Product Misuse

At American Standard Foundation Repair, our commitment to quality is uncompromising. We understand that the products we use play a crucial role in the effectiveness and longevity of our repairs. As such, we spare no expense in sourcing the best products, irrespective of their cost or origin.

This commitment to quality may mean that we have to cut our profit margins to keep our prices competitive, but it’s a sacrifice we’re willing to make. We know that by using superior products, we reduce the likelihood of repair failure, which translates to fewer callbacks and greater satisfaction for our clients.

Our approach might seem costly at first, but when you factor in the durability of our repairs and the savings from avoiding repeat fixes, it’s clear that our method is not only cost-effective but also provides peace of mind for homeowners.

Misdiagnosis: A Primary Cause of Failure

One of the most significant contributors to repair failure is misdiagnosis of the problem. Unfortunately, many companies seek to cut costs by reducing the amount of training they provide to their inspectors. They often have new hires shadow experienced inspectors for a few weeks and then send them into the field to conduct inspections.

Without adequate training, these inspectors can easily miss the real issues or misinterpret the signs of foundation problems. This can lead to incorrect repair work, which not only fails to address the real problem but can also result in additional costs and potential damage.

How We Avoid Misdiagnosis in Foundation Repair

We take a different approach to inspector training. We believe that our clients deserve the best service, which starts with a thorough and accurate diagnosis of the problem. As such, we’ve developed a comprehensive training program for our inspectors that includes both practical experience and theoretical study.

Our training program spans six to eight months, during which our inspectors work under the guidance of experienced colleagues and are evaluated through a series of tests. Only those who pass these tests are eligible to sit for the Certified Foundation Repair Specialist (CFRS) exam.

The CFRS certification is a rigorous exam administered by the National Foundation Repair Association and has a first-time pass rate of only 46%. We’re proud to have six CFRS-certified inspectors in the State of Tennessee, highlighting our dedication to excellence and professionalism.

Choosing a Foundation Repair Company You Trust

In conclusion, the commitment to quality workmanship, the use of industry-approved products, and the comprehensive training of our inspectors set us apart in the foundation industry. Our meticulous approach ensures that homeowners receive the most effective and lasting solutions for their repair needs. When you’re choosing a foundation repair company, choose us. We’re here to help you invest in the long-term structural integrity of your home.

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