What is tuck-and-point mortar repair?

After exterior walls have been structurally stabilized with steel pier pilings, Foundation Pro technicians repair masonry settlement cracks on the home in areas where we have worked. This service is called tuck-and-point and provided at no additional cost. With mortar and coloring agents, we seal exterior cracks in mortar joints, bricks and cinder blocks. This provides for the best cosmetic aesthetics and to seal the wall against water damage or pest infestation.

The goal of tuck-and-point is to match the original masonry of the home as closely as possible. This step often demands an artistic touch because tint and texture of masonry colors have a tendency to show changes over time due to curing effects and environmental factors. In many cases after our work it is difficult to tell the exact location of the repaired settlement cracks. Although we promise our best we cannot guarantee a 100% perfect color match on every job due to curing time of new mortar versus the original.  

We also can provide specialty mortar mixture and brands upon request.

Loose mortar is grinded out to prepare wall to be put back into position in the pier process. 

Foundation Pro's 20th Year Anniversary *2016*

By: Brent Stroud

July 18, 2016

The year 2016 proudly marks Foundation Pro’s twentieth year anniversary as a Central Arkansas service provider in the field of foundation repair and house leveling. Over the years we have seen a lot of various changes such as in our high grade equipment and technical repair methods. But one thing that remains the same is our commitment to provide every customer with professional integrity and quality repair with the most accurate and permanent foundation repair solutions.

The history of Foundation Pro began in May of 1996 when Bob Stroud decided to direct his knowledge and experience gained from more than two decades in the fire and water damage emergency response business and focus efforts on the specialized field of foundation repair. When Foundation Pro started one major difference that set us apart from most other companies in the industry at that time was that we offered full service foundation repair. Our business plan involved addressing both exterior problems interior problems. Foundation Pro’s hard work and personalized customer service soon led for us to be known as a locally owned and regionally recognized option for customers who had foundation problems both large and small.  And with regular continuing education and training programs our management team and repair technicians have been able to remain leading experts in the latest technological trends. This comprehensive training over the years combined with our unique and time tested on-the-job time innovations continue to separate us from others in our industry and allow our employees the ability to properly address even the most challenging projects.

Today Foundation Pro family is still owned and managed by a team effort between with Bob and his son Brent Stroud who is Director of Operations.

Recent accolades awarded to Foundation Pro include being a three year consecutive winner of Angie’s List prestigious Super Service Award (2015, 2015, 2014), an honor awarded annually to approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on Angie’s List, one of the nation’s leading providers of consumer reviews on local service companies.  We have also won various awards on Home Advisor, another popular review site.

We enjoy our work and would like to thank all our thousands of good customers who have have trusted our company to repair their homes and businesses. We look forward to providing our best to all future customers during the next twenty years!

 

          

 

 

How to Repair Sheetrock Settlement Cracks!

“How do I repair the cracks in my sheetrock?” 

That's one of the most commonly asked questions of what to do next after the foundation has been repaired. As a home shifts during the settlement process, it is typical to see cracks appear in the sheetrock. Even though cracks may close during the raising process they may still need to be addressed cosmetically. The following information is to help guide you to do it yourself or to tell you what to expect if you hire a painter or handyman. If done correctly, the repair should make the previously damaged sheetrock appear as good as new.

Items you will need: All Purpose Joint Compound, Paper Drywall Tape, Sanding Block or Sandpaper, 6 inch Putty Knife, 8 inch Putty Knife

 

First, use sandpaper to sand down the area around the crack so that it is smooth with no rough edges. Next, use a putty knife to embed about 1/8 inch of an all-purpose joint compound into the length of the crack and spread some compound about an inch wider than the drywall tape you have chosen to use. Try to make the coat smooth as possible. Then apply the drywall tape over the joint compound on the wall. With one hand, use a putty knife to hold the tape in place while using the other hand and a separate putty knife to scrape away any loose compound. Apply a thin coat of compound over the tape and a few inches around it, then repeat the previous step of scraping loose compound away around the tape. Let it dry overnight. Typically most joint compounds take 6-8 hours to dry, but this may vary by manufacturer.

After the compound has dried, scrape away any loose dried compound with your putty knife so that the texture is smooth. You may also want to gently sand it with fine sandpaper. Then apply a second coat of compound using a larger size putty knife. This coat will extend a few inches wider than the tape so that it begins to blend in with the wall. Gently scrape or “float” across the area with your putty knife until the knife marks in the compound disappear. Let this second coat dry.

Repeat the previous steps of scraping and sanding any loose compound. Apply a third thin coat and layer it even further away from the tape so that it blends with the rest of the wall. The more it blends in with the rest of the wall, the more professional the final results will be. Gently scrape the area again so that the knife marks go away. Allow this to dry for 24 hours and then gently sand it with very fine sandpaper. Now the wall is ready for a primer base and paint!

Brent Stroud | Foundation Pro | 501-753-1009 | www.foundationproar.com

How to Repair Sheetrock Settlement Cracks

“How do I repair the cracks in my sheetrock?” 

That's one of the most commonly asked questions of what to do next after the foundation has been repaired. As a home shifts during the settlement process, it is typical to see cracks appear in the sheetrock. Even though cracks may close during the raising process they may still need to be addressed cosmetically. The following information is to help guide you to do it yourself or to tell you what to expect if you hire a painter or handyman. If done correctly, the repair should make the previously damaged sheetrock appear as good as new.

Items you will need: All Purpose Joint Compound, Paper Drywall Tape, Sanding Block or Sandpaper, 6 inch Putty Knife, 8 inch Putty Knife

 

First, use sandpaper to sand down the area around the crack so that it is smooth with no rough edges. Next, use a putty knife to embed about 1/8 inch of an all-purpose joint compound into the length of the crack and spread some compound about an inch wider than the drywall tape you have chosen to use. Try to make the coat smooth as possible. Then apply the drywall tape over the joint compound on the wall. With one hand, use a putty knife to hold the tape in place while using the other hand and a separate putty knife to scrape away any loose compound. Apply a thin coat of compound over the tape and a few inches around it, then repeat the previous step of scraping loose compound away around the tape. Let it dry overnight. Typically most joint compounds take 6-8 hours to dry, but this may vary by manufacturer.

After the compound has dried, scrape away any loose dried compound with your putty knife so that the texture is smooth. You may also want to gently sand it with fine sandpaper. Then apply a second coat of compound using a larger size putty knife. This coat will extend a few inches wider than the tape so that it begins to blend in with the wall. Gently scrape or “float” across the area with your putty knife until the knife marks in the compound disappear. Let this second coat dry.

Repeat the previous steps of scraping and sanding any loose compound. Apply a third thin coat and layer it even further away from the tape so that it blends with the rest of the wall. The more it blends in with the rest of the wall, the more professional the final results will be. Gently scrape the area again so that the knife marks go away. Allow this to dry for 24 hours and then gently sand it with very fine sandpaper. Now the wall is ready for a primer base and paint!

Brent Stroud | Foundation Pro | 501-753-1009 | www.foundationproar.com