How-To's
& Tips.

Water seeps into micro-cracks, freezes and expands, then widens the gap. Seal cracks under ¼ inch yourself with hydraulic cement. Anything wider needs a pro. If you see horizontal cracks (not vertical), call us — that's a structural sign, not cosmetic.

Moving or adding plumbing, electrical, or structural walls always requires a permit. Cosmetic-only (tile, paint, fixture swap on existing lines) usually doesn't. Skipping the permit when you needed one can block a future sale or trigger code enforcement.

California requires driveways to drain away from the structure. A 1 to 2 percent slope is ideal — that's about ¼ inch per foot. FXR grades every pour to spec. If your existing driveway pools water, that's a fixable problem before it becomes a foundation problem.

California's ADU laws have made it easier than ever — cities can no longer block them with bogus zoning, and permit fees are capped. FXR handles the full scope from permits to move-in ready: site planning, utility hookup, framing, finish work, and final inspection.

A visible dip or wave in the roofline is a structural issue, not cosmetic. It will not "settle" or "fix itself." Call a contractor before your next rainstorm — water gets in along compromised framing fast.

There's no statute of limitations on the requirement to get a permit. The work doesn't "become legal" because it's been there 20 years. It can still trigger enforcement at sale, refinance, neighbor complaint, or insurance claim. The smart move: legalize it before it becomes urgent.

If a fire, water damage, or structural failure originates in unpermitted construction, your homeowner's policy can deny the claim entirely. Insurers look for "concealed conditions." Permits and inspections aren't bureaucratic gymnastics — they're your claim shield.