If you have noticed cracks in your home, you should consider foundation repair. It’s always better to catch foundation issues before they get worse and cost you a lot of money to fix.
When a house’s foundation shifts, it can cause walls and support beams to break apart. This can lead to uneven movement and sagging floors and ceilings.
Cracks
Cracks in your foundation are an early warning sign of problems that need to be addressed. They are not always harbingers of major structural damage, but they do need to be taken seriously and repaired by a professional.
Foundation cracks are a common problem, and there are many different reasons why they occur. These can include drainage issues, soil movement or differential settlement (as mentioned above), and plumbing leaks.
Vertical and horizontal cracks can be fixed by chiseling out the damaged area and filling it with hydraulic cement, which sets fast and hardens after mixing. This method works well for small cracks but may not be as effective in larger areas.
Stair-step cracks that follow mortar joints are specifically seen in brick or block foundations and indicate the soil is moving beneath and around the home, putting pressure on the foundation wall. They can also be a sign of hydrostatic pressure, which is caused by water that’s saturated in the soil outside your foundation and is a serious risk to your house’s stability.
Sagging Floors
Sagging floors are a common sign of foundation problems, but they don’t have to be a dealbreaker for homeowners. If you’re looking for a home, take a look at the floors to see if they’re level and safe.
Sliding or sagging floors may be due to foundation damage, bad construction, or poor soil conditions. It can also be caused by tree roots growing under the foundation.
If a floor sags or dips, it’s important to get repairs done quickly. This is a critical step in preventing more serious structural issues from occurring in the future.
Sagging floors can be repaired using jacks and beams. However, it’s best to hire a professional repair team for this type of work because they can use the proper equipment to lift your floor back up.
Leaking Pipes
A leaking pipe under your home’s slab foundation can be very dangerous and costly. It not only wastes water, but it can also damage the concrete and cause foundation cracks and voids.
Older homes are more prone to foundation leaks as pipes age and corrode. They can also be affected by abrasion or stress, especially as they rub against the concrete slab.
Earth movements, such as earthquakes and soil erosion, can also cause a leak. These natural forces can cause the soil around a pipe to shift, pushing it out of place and putting pressure on the pipe.
Repairing these leaking pipes is often difficult and expensive. A plumbing professional can dig a trench to find the leaking pipes and fix them. They can also replace the pipes and reroute them through your walls or attic instead of underneath your foundation.
Water Damage
Whether from a leaky pipe or heavy rainfall, water damage can cause serious problems for any home. The effects can be obvious, such as rotting carpet or wood floors, and not so obvious, such as foundation damage that doesn’t show up until the home is in disrepair.
In Texas, where we have expansive clay soil under and around our homes, a lot of water can be absorbed and lost by the earth over time. This creates hydrostatic pressure, which can force your foundation to settle and crack over time.
When it comes to foundation repair, there are a few ways to prevent water from damaging the foundation of your home. These include:
