You’re walking through your home and something just doesn’t seem right. The floors look normal but they feel uneven and in some rooms, the doors and windows are beginning to stick. As an experiment, you roll one of your child’s marbles across the rug. …
Being one of the first things guests see, most homeowners know there is value to a well landscaped yard. However, you may not realize just how valuable a professionally landscaped yard really is. If designed properly, a landscaped yard can help manage …
When you took out homeowners insurance, the purpose was likely to protect your home from catastrophic events like vandalism, floods, and fires. You may not have been thinking about foundation issues at the time, but now that you’ve noticed some cracks …
Back before slab foundations became the norm, homes were lifted in place by pier and beam arrangements made from treated lumber and elevated atop blocks or piers. The beams, which run parallel the length of the house, can be spaced up to 12’ apart whil …
When your foundation is being compromised by drainage issues, a repair specialist will usually recommend using a French drain (also known as a rubble drain) or surface drain to correct the problem. The primary difference between the two systems is that …
As foundation repair contractors, we at Van Matre Construction, LLC spend a lot of time in basements. We’ve been in basements that were magnificently finished and we’ve been in basements that weren’t so magnificent. We know basements are an important …
Tiles are a decorative and durable floor covering. Although they look fragile, most types of tile can handle a lot of abuse like dropped objects and heavy loads, so cracks and other signs of damage are unusual, especially if the tiles are newer. If yo …
Trees deliver a lot of benefits to homeowners. They’re natural air purifiers: a single tree can remove 10lbs of pollutants like ozone, ammonia, and sulfur dioxide per year. When they surround the property, they can also: Reduce noise pollution Act as …
Bricks are sturdy enough to build the biggest homes, but they are also porous. This means that factors like temperature and moisture can cause them to expand and contract over time and eventually crack. Damage can also occur when uneven pressure is app …
If your home’s foundation was improperly designed or is starting to deteriorate, it can threaten the structural integrity of the property, diminish its value, and even pose a safety risk to your family. Fortunately, a thorough house foundation inspecti …
