Foundation repairs are expensive; help avoid major problems in the future by doing a regular checkup on your home. Inspect foundation walls for cracks; these can be caused by settling, expanding tree roots, or improper drainage. Inspect and clean out your gutters regularly and be sure that the drains direct water away from the foundation.

Bob's back at the Mashpee site where he meets with developer Joe Valle to discuss the foundation that is being poured. Valle explains that the excavation work for an average foundation costs about $5,000 and includes the digging, backfill, and finish grading. The poured foundation also costs about $5,000, divided equally between the cost of labor and the cost of materials. Valle estimates it will take about 30 yards of concrete to pour the average foundation, which is equal to three truckloads. Bob questions the decision to pour a full foundation and wonders if it might not be more economical to build a crawlspace. Valle explains that the advantages of a full basement far outweigh any cost savings from digging and pouring a shallower foundation. The added living space is well worth the cost, especially since the foundation must be dug and poured regardless of the depth. As for a concrete slab, Valle says that the market does not support it in the Massachusetts area. Even with a slab house, a frost wall must be dug and poured, before the concrete arrives for the slab. Once the foundation is poured for this River Hill home, posts are set every 16 inches so that the sill can be bolted to the foundation and the house can be tied down to its base.

Bob is with Tim Berky, the general contractor for the Rowley Victorian addition and kitchen remodel. He updates Bob on the progress since the footing for the new foundation was poured and repairs to the original foundation were made. Berky and his crew found dry rot in the existing entry and had to remove it completely. The mason had to create a sloping course to level out the existing entry foundation and repoint it to blend it into the new foundation work. Inside, Berky and his crew removed the bathroom fixtures, secured the pipes to prevent leaking, opened the walls to expose wires and pipes for shutoff, and began to cut the entry into chunks for removal. The sill was releveled and an adhesive was used to attach the new sill to the brick foundaiton.

Ryley meets with Jim Whiteside, construction manager for Habitat and they look at the pre-cast foundation by Superior Wall Systems.

…developed 20 or 30 houses over the last few years," he says. SPNHS is supported in this project by the Home Depot Foundation, NeighborWorks America, and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Warrick Dunn, whose "Home for Holidays" charity has helped…

…marketing for Liberty Hardware, manufacturers of Liberty , Brainerd , and Franklin Brass , some of which can be found at The Home Depot and Lowe s. Finish options are even more plentiful. Antique, brushed, polished, and satin subcategories address brass…

…joists are visible in the attic, and it can be checked with a yardstick, according to Tia Robinson, a spokesperson for The Home Depot. The R Value is the rating system used to indicate the amount of insulation needed. R-Values can be required by local…

…inhibits future mold growth. First made available to the public in 2007, Concrobium is now distributed nationally through The Home Depot and select Lowe s, Ace Hardware and other hardware stores. Concrobium comes in 32-oz. spray bottles ($9 to $10…