Can I Repair My Sinking Foundation Myself?

If you’re concerned about the cost of repairing a sinking foundation, you may want to try and fix the problem on your own time. DIY solutions, after all, have been lauded for their money-saving practicality in the past. However, trying to repair your foundation on your own time and with your own tools is more than just a challenge—it can be impossible. 

Foundation Excavation 

Consider this: More often than not, the process of repairing your foundation requires a professional to excavate some or all of your foundation. This process is long enough when you have the proper tools on hand. If you try to undertake the same task with nothing but a shovel, you may find yourself working for days as the problem with your foundation gets worse. Similarly, you may not have access to the repair measures needed to address the sinkage that’s plaguing your home. 

Making Mistakes on the Job 

A lack of materials, however, is not the only reason you should consider leaving foundation repair work to the professionals. There is always a chance that, while you’re trying to fix your foundation, you may make the problem you’re contending with worse. You may, for example, attend to a superficial problem with your foundation and come to believe your whole space has been fixed. In the meantime, your foundation might continue to crack or otherwise suffer under the strain of unrepaired damage. 

Losing Money on a DIY Project 

Finally, the cost of a DIY foundation sinkage solution can run you far more than professional services might. Not only might you have to replace materials you used, but you may have to purchase one-use tools that could cost thousands of dollars. Should something go wrong during repairs, you may have to call a professional anyway. The cost of professional repairs after you’ve attempted a DIY foundation repair solution can run high, as contractors have to remove the materials you installed before they can implement those solutions that’ll restore your home’s previous value.