2. Foundation
Always rectify any problems with the foundation before you begin work on the house itself. If you have any doubt about whether a house needs foundation work or not, ask the advice of a structural engineer, a licensed real estate inspector, or a foundation repair company.

Remember that everything in the house sits on the foundation. The foundation sits on the soil. If the soil has shrunk or swollen, it makes the house unlevel. We've talked about that all summer.

When the foundation of the house is square and level, then everything that is built on top of it has a good chance of being square and level. The parts of the house depend on the foundation being right so the different pieces of the house will fit together correctly and perform their functions in the way they were designed to.

Framing that is square and level is stronger, safer and will last much longer that framing that is not. Sheetrock on the inside and siding of brick or masonry depends on the framing being square or the work will not look right. Have you ever seen a leaning wall on a house? Looks weird, doesn't it? It is not safe, and it is a demonstration of a crumbling asset.

Foundation repair re-levels and stabilizes the house. Whether it is pier and beam or slab on grade, most of the houses in Houston will want a little adjusting in their lifetime.