Foundation repair is extremely important no matter what type of foundation that you have. Concrete slab foundations and pier and slab beams can develop serious problems that require home foundation repair. Older homes can also become extremely damaged due to age. Because aging can cause various things such as soil shifting, climate changes, plumbing leaks, Poor soil compaction, and lack of foundation drainage, it is always wise to look for signs of possible damage…
Many things can cause the foundation to settle at an angle. One of the most common reasons why foundations start to sink is because of soil shifting and/or climate fluctuations. You may not even be aware that your property has started to settle unless you take a walk around it and notice that there are cracks in the sidings. When the soil shifts, there is generally an upwards movement in the ground level of the structure. If the soil continues to move upwards, then the weight of the soil on the structure is reduced, which results in the foundation settling at an angle. Other causes for the foundation to settle at an angle include settling of structures due to pier maintenance, building renovations, and ground motion problems.
Most commercial buildings have two or more commercial piers. These piers are supported by concrete or other material and provide the foundation for the structure. Over time, the piers can settle at an angle and actually start moving downhill. As the piers settle, they are supported less and the weight of the soil and the settling soil on the piers is more, which causes the foundation piers to move closer together. The closer the foundation piers get together, the more weight is placed on the structure, and this means that foundation repair becomes necessary sooner than you might think!
When the soil moves or the piers start to stick apart, the building is placed in a vertical position. Now, when the ground moves horizontally, the interior walls can start to buckle upward due to cracks in the interior foundation. The cracks or fissures in the slab foundation, however, do not mean that the entire structure will need foundation repair. In fact, cracks in the slab foundation are a good sign for foundation settlement, because they are signs that the settlement is taking place beneath the floor framing. A slight settlement of the foundation can result in minor foundation cracks and fissures, but if the foundation moves significantly, it can mean the complete structural integrity of the building may be in jeopardy.
One of the main reasons that you should have your house foundation checked and repaired as soon as possible is the fact that it increases the life of your home. The foundation acts as a cushion for the structure, and if it becomes too cracked or hollowed out, the weight of the soil will cause the house foundation repair costs to increase, and the house could become structurally unsound. Cracks or fissures can also lead to water damage inside the house. The presence of moisture in a house can compromise the structural integrity of the foundation.
There are many signs that the foundation cracks or fissures are beginning to form, but there are some that are less obvious. Some people notice a crack in one or more walls. If you have worn wallpaper, or wallpaper is peeling, this is another sign that the wall is becoming structurally compromised. If the wall appears to bulge from the wall or if it is leaning to one side, then you may have another problem as well.
When it comes to foundation problems, there are other signs that you should be aware of. If there are unusually high or low temperatures, or if you see that the soil in your yard is thinning or is drying up, you might have soil shifting. Poorly drained soils can contribute to the formation of cracks or breaks in the foundation. If you have any of these signs, or if your foundation has any of these other signs, then you should get it repaired as soon as possible. Low soil humidity can eventually cause the foundation to collapse.
While we don’t like to think of our foundation problems as being serious, it is important to keep in mind that a foundation is an integral part of the structure of a building. If your foundation isn’t holding up, your whole building could crumble. If you have any worries that your foundation has any cracks, signs of weakness, or other concerns, you should contact Foundation Repair.
