If you spot any signs of foundation problems, the sooner you act, the better. Taking action early means preventing more extensive and costly damage down the road. Small basic issues might look trivial now but could lead to severe structural damage and other health, safety, and financial concerns over time.
Cracks
If you’re looking to sell your home, you may want to avoid the appearance of cracks. However, if the damages are large, they may signal structural shifts that can affect your building’s safety and stability. Generally, cosmetic cracks (like corner pop) are insignificant and can be fixed with a bucket of premixed cement and a trowel for only a few dollars. However, if you ignore them, water will enter the cracks and cause more extensive damage.
Cracks that are wider than 1/4 inch should be addressed right away. These could indicate a foundation movement that will only get worse over time. Large horizontal cracks can also indicate a shift in your basement’s structural integrity. It’s important to take these signs seriously as they may lead to other problems, such as misaligned doors and floors in the upper levels of your building.
Many homeowners fix foundation cracks independently with DIY solutions like filling the gaps. But it won’t guarantee to solve the problem. More is needed to address the root of your situation, often hydrostatic pressure from the ground pushing against the basement walls. Professionals offer several solutions to address this issue, including wall anchoring and helical piers, which will help alleviate the pressure from the ground against your basement walls.
Uneven Floors
Uneven floors are often a telltale sign of foundation issues. Whether you’re looking for signs of uneven floors when buying a home or your current floor is sagging, it is important to act fast and call professionals to fix the issue before it worsens. The best way to avoid uneven floors is through regular basement foundation repair. This process involves adding additional support to the existing concrete foundation to prevent movement and keep it stable. It is also crucial to ensure proper drainage around the house. This can be done through gutters, downspouts and grading. Also, keeping large trees safe from the foundation will help minimize root intrusion and reduce the risk of shifting or damage.
Sagging, sloping or uneven floors can affect the appearance of a home and can be unsafe for people with physical disabilities or elderly or frail residents. They can cause injury or falls and make it difficult to move around a home. However, sagging floors are only sometimes a result of foundation issues. Several other factors can lead to sagging or sloping floors, such as water damage from leaky pipes, flooding, and poor drainage. In these cases, professional waterproofing and crawl space drainage solutions can be used to address the problem.
Leaks
Leaks and floods can damage your house and basement, causing mold, mildew, warped flooring and walls, and electrical issues. Identifying the source and stopping water penetration is the most important thing to do before these problems get out of hand. Water problems can also exacerbate existing foundation problems. Uncontrolled moisture leads to the expansion and contraction of soil, causing your house to shift on its foundation. This shifting can cause your basement walls to crack and lead to misaligned doors and windows. If your basement walls show signs of movement, you should seek professional help immediately to prevent further damage.
Diagonal wall cracks, sloped or uneven floors, and difficulty opening or closing doors and windows indicate unstable underlying soil. Professionals offer many interior basement system options, including wall anchoring to stabilize and reinforce the walls, carbon fiber strips and braces to eliminate hydrostatic pressure and basement waterproofing solutions like membranes and barriers to control moisture. Regardless of the season, it would help if you never waited to get your foundation repaired. Spending money on repairs that aren’t yet needed may seem counterproductive, but regular house maintenance will prolong its life and reduce the risk of major structural issues in the future. It will also enhance the resale value of your home.
Structural Damage
When a home’s foundation experiences serious damage, it can also impact other parts. Doors and windows may begin to stick or become misaligned, floors could get uneven or even slope downhill, and the basement can experience extensive water damage if left untreated. If structural damage is allowed to progress, the repair costs can escalate significantly. For example, if the issue is caused by expansive clay soil that expands and contracts with changes in moisture levels, the prices of repairs can be far more significant than for homes built on more stable grounds.
Foundation repair is a complex task that requires the expertise of professional contractors to ensure it is carried out to a high standard. DIY repairs are ineffective and can create more problems, such as introducing moisture into the building that can contribute to mold growth, musty odors, or other health issues.
Ideally, foundation repair is undertaken in the winter to avoid exposing the basement to water damage. However, it is important to remember that the weather can still cause problems where the soils are extremely variable. Therefore, if the damage is significant, it’s vital to take prompt action. For instance, if the foundation shows signs of cracking and settlement, a solution such as wall anchors should correct the underlying problem. Otherwise, the cracks are likely to recur and further damage the walls.
