FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: I have a depression in my yard, but no damage to my house, is it a sinkhole?
A: Not necessarily, first of all you want to make sure the depression was not caused by a broken pressurized water line. A broken line could cause water to seep into the ground causing a depression. If you do not think it is due to a broken pipe and the depression is small, you can fill the depression with sand. You may have to fill the hole a couple of times as the sand packs back down. It is a good idea to keep an eye on the hole over a period of time to make sure the hole is not growing in size. If there are no visible signs of damage to your property, you should be fine.
Q: My neighbor has a sinkhole, does that mean I have a sinkhole?
A: Just because your neighbor has a sinkhole does not mean that you have a sinkhole, but since sinkholes do not respect property lines your property may be effected by the same sinkhole activity mechanics. You may want to do a physical inspection of your property for damage.
Q: My driveway is cracking, but not my house, will my insurance cover it?
A: No settlement damage is ever covered under any type of Florida Homeowners Coverage unless it is deemed to be caused by sinkhole activity.
Q: I think I see damage on my house, what do I do now?
A: First, you will want to contact your insurance company and tell them about the damage you have observed. They will send out an adjuster who will determine if there is a need to send out an engineering firm. The firm will test drill the site for possible sinkhole related damage to your property.
Q: When do I call Champion Foundation Repair Systems?
A: Once an engineer or adjuster has confirmed there is sinkhole activity on your property, give us a call.
Q: Will I be able to speak directly to one of your inspectors?
A: Yes, we will always make one of our inspectors or project managers available to answer all of your questions in a timely manner.
Q: Does it make a difference what foundation repair company I use and what different materials they use?
A: It absolutely makes a difference. Not all foundation repair companies are the same and not all foundation repair companies use the best materials out there to fix your property. At Champion we pride ourselves in only using the best materials available on the market today. That is why we use only FASTEEL products. Don’t you want the best for your property? Think about it, you wouldn’t order a steak at a fast food restaurant, why settle for less in your most important investment.
Q: How long does the average job take?
A: Every job varies, due to the amount of work your property may need. However, most jobs generally take 1-2 weeks.
Q: After we sign the contract with Champion, about how long will it take for work to being on my property?
A: Certain times of year are busier than others; however we can usually start a project within 30 days once all the documents are signed.
Q: How many jobs has Champion completed?
A: Champion has complied over 320 jobs to date and growing everyday!
Q: Is Champion licensed in the state of Florida and insured?
A: Absolutely, we are state licensed and fully insured.
Q: Is Campion located locally?
A: Champion is located in Tampa, Florida. The owners and workers are all local to the area and are involved in all of the day to day operations of the business.
Q: What do I need to do to prepare before you come to my house or business?
A: The rooms inside your home we are repairing need to be cleared before we can start work. All floor coverings, which are to be saved, such as hard wood floors or carpet, should be removed by professionals before we arrive; doing this will ensure the coverings can be replaced correctly upon job completion. Outside we will take care of all the preparation, with the possible exception of plants. At Champion we do everything we can to ensure your plants live, however we cannot guarantee a 100% success rate, as we have about a 70% live rate if the work is done by us. To make sure your plants live when they are replanted we highly recommend you remove them yourself or have a professional do it. Everything else we will remove and replace. Each case can vary depending on your repair, so talk to your case manger at Champion before we arrive.
Q: Can I live in my home while it is being worked on by Champion?
A: In almost all cases you can live in your home while the repairs are being done. Ultimately the determination is made by the insurance company or engineer. There are a few rare cases where it is unadvisable for the home owner to live in the property, usually less than 5%.
Q: If you grout my house, is it just putting cement in the ground?
A: No, Compaction Grouting is used to stabilize the loose soil. There are several different types of cementatous material which can be used. Grouting has 2 main purposes in the repair process. First, it is used to close the throat of a sinkhole and second, it is used to increase the density value in the soil layers surrounding your property. The grout mixes with the soil already under your property to form a more stable soil environment.
Q: How much mess is there?
A: At Champion we do everything we can to ensure a clean working environment. We know it can be very invasive having work done in and around your home. Both grouting and pinning are destructive remedial processes. While our work is done quickly, thoroughly, and compressively, most operations can get messy. We safe guard your property from damage and always take extra care in ensuring everything is neat and clean. At Champion we use every opportunity to leave the property in the same condition we found it in with minimal damage to your home or business.
Q: Do you have to use tarps and will it kill my grass?
A: We use tarps generally for the dirt we remove from under and around your home and for our equipment. Most tarps are only in place for a day or so and are rotated and moved as to not harm your lawn. Tarps are necessary for the overall cleanliness of the job. Just a ½ day of rain or a sprinkler system will revive your lawn.
Q: What are the detailed steps and the repair process of my home?
A: We will give you a full bid proposal with detailed information about each repair process point by point for your home or business. Each process is fully explained to you in detail, along with illustrations. Accompanying your proposal, you will find a copy of our 30 year warranty. Our bid proposal is very compressive and if we do miss something we are always available to meet with you in person to answer any questions you may have.
Q: Does Champion offer a warranty?
A: Of course, At Champion we stand by our work and our products. That is why we offer a 30 Year Limited Warranty. It does not even matter if you sell your home or business; our work remains under warranty and transfers from owner to owner- free of charge for the life of the warranty. When you receive your personalized bid proposal for your property there will be a detailed copy of our warranty for you to keep. For more on Warranties see our
Warranty page to learn about the key differences between a 30 Year Warranty and a Lifetime Warranty.
