The foundation of your home supports its structural integrity. Unless it’s severely damaged, the good news is that most foundation problems can be repaired rather than replaced.
A professional can perform a thorough inspection of your foundation and recommend a repair solution. Contact Apex Plano Foundation Repair for professional help.
Foundation cracks can be a source of stress and anxiety for homeowners, but they don’t always signal structural damage. Homeowners should be on the lookout for cracks in the foundation, and be sure to hire professionals when necessary. Professionals have specialized training and tools that make them better equipped to handle these types of repairs, preventing further damage and saving homeowners time.
When it comes to repairing foundation cracks, first it is important to determine what caused the crack in the first place. This could be anything from soil heaving and settlement to poor drainage or even structural problems. Once the cause of the crack is identified, it can be repaired using non-structural repair methods.
The type of crack and its size can also help homeowners decide whether or not it is time to call a professional. Thin, vertical cracks less than 1/4 inch wide are considered cosmetic and usually not an issue unless they leak water, widen or are accompanied by other signs of trouble such as bowing walls.
If a crack is wider than 1/4 inch, it is considered structural and will need to be repaired by a professional. A professional can use epoxy or polyurethane foam to fill the crack and create a seal. This can be done with a syringe and a caulking gun, or an epoxy and foam kit with ports where the material is injected. It is important to monitor the crack and call a professional immediately if it shows signs of recurrence or expansion.
Horizontal cracks are very serious and often indicative of significant movement or heaving of the foundation. This can lead to water infiltration and serious rot and other structural issues, so it is vital that homeowners take care of these cracks as soon as they are noticed. If a homeowner notices that doors and windows are sticking or have difficulty opening, these are also signs of a shifting foundation and require professional attention. Those who do not address these symptoms early can find themselves facing expensive and extensive repair bills. This is why it is so crucial to be vigilant and check the foundation of your home frequently.
Uneven Floors
Uneven floors can be one of the most noticeable signs of foundation issues. If you notice that your floor is sagging or uneven, it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible. Uneven floors are typically caused by a serious problem with the foundation, which can lead to other structural problems throughout your home if left unchecked.
There are many causes of uneven floors, including soil issues, poor design or construction, and differential settlement. Differential settlement is when the foundation of your house shifts over time, leading to uneven floors. This is very common in older homes, but new homes can also develop this issue as well.
Differential settlement can be caused by many things, including construction nearby or earthquakes. It can also be caused by a sinking foundation, which is a sign that your foundation is in need of repair.
To check if your floors are uneven, you can try putting a marble on the floor in various spots and seeing which direction it moves. The faster the marble rolls, the steeper the slope of your floor. If your floor is sagging, you can also try walking across the room and see how far it moves. If the sagging goes far, this is a clear indicator that you have an uneven floor.
Uneven floors can cause all sorts of problems in your home, from cracks in walls and ceilings to doors and windows that won’t close properly. They can also be a safety issue for individuals who live in the home with disabilities, as they may struggle to maneuver on an uneven floor.
If you are thinking of buying a home with uneven floors, make sure to have a professional inspector take a look at it before making an offer. They will be able to identify the problem and give you an estimate for how much it will cost to fix. This will allow you to negotiate a lower price or even ask for the repairs to be done before you purchase the house.
If you have a sinking foundation, it’s important to have it fixed as soon as possible to prevent other problems in your home. A professional foundation contractor can help fix the issue quickly and easily using a solution called underpinning. They will install piers underneath the foundation to lift and stabilize it. This can be done using resistance push piers, helical piers, or drilled concrete piers.
Sticking Doors and Windows
Sticking windows and doors are more than a minor irritation. They’re a clear sign that foundation settlement has occurred and requires immediate attention. If left unaddressed, sticking windows and doors will lead to more severe structural damage to your home.
Often, the sticking issue isn’t the only indicator that you have foundation problems. You should also watch out for sagging floors, cracks in the drywall around doors and windows, and unexplained gaps between walls and floors.
Soil Issues
When your foundation shifts and sinks, the soil underneath it will shift with it, skewing floors and moving walls. This can cause door and window frames to bend or move out of alignment, making them difficult to open and close. This is especially true if the ground underneath your home was poorly prepared during construction.
Improper soil preparation can result in clay soils expanding and shifting underneath your home’s foundation. The pressure of your home’s weight on the clay soils will cause the foundation to settle and sink, leading to uneven floors and a variety of other issues like sticking doors and windows.
The lack of moisture in the soil can also contribute to shifting and sinking foundations. During construction, the soil was filled under your home in order to stabilize it. However, this soil can compact over time due to heavy precipitation and tree and plant roots growing in the area. The lack of moisture will cause the soil to shrink and shift beneath your home’s foundation, causing your foundation to sink and resulting in your doors and windows becoming stuck.
Sticking windows and doors may be difficult to open or close and might get stuck halfway. While you might be tempted to ignore the problem, it is important that you seek professional help immediately. Sticking windows and doors, along with sagging floors, are a clear sign that you have foundation problems and need immediate attention. Taking the time to address these early warning signs will prevent further damage and costly future repairs. Ohio Basement Authority offers permanent solutions that will protect your foundation and avoid the recurrence of sticking doors and windows.
Sewage Leaks
In contrast to fresh water lines, which are typically within your walls, sewer pipes are located outside of your foundation. Consequently, they are more susceptible to damage and leaks. Leaks in these pipes often go unnoticed until they cause serious problems. Fortunately, there are a few things you can look for that may indicate that you have a sewer leak.
If you notice a damp area in your home, especially when it hasn’t rained recently, this could be a sign of a broken drain line. The most common materials used for drain lines are PVC, ABS and cast-iron (in older homes). If your plumbing is slow to drain or you hear that telltale gurgling sound it could mean there is a break or separation in the line that prevents air flow and venting. This can be caused by shifting in the ground around the pipes or from a tree root system making its way into the drain line.
Another common sign of a sewer leak is an unexplained increase in your water bill. A broken supply line or a leaking sewer line is likely the culprit and needs to be fixed by a professional as soon as possible before it causes more serious damage.
One of the more severe consequences of a sewer leak is when the leaks cause heaving of your foundation slab. In this case, the soil surrounding the leaking pipe expands like a sponge, pulling or pushing up on your foundation. The right plumber and foundation repair company will be able to detect, address and correct this problem before it gets out of hand.
Taking the time to check your foundation on a regular basis is one of the best ways to avoid costly repairs. By identifying and repairing cracks promptly, you can save money on plumbing bills and reduce the risk of further damage to your foundation. Contact a professional foundation repair company for more information or to schedule an inspection of your property. They can also provide a variety of other services to keep your house healthy and safe, including plumbing repair and drain cleaning.