How to Know If Your Foundation Needs Repair
A solid foundation is a vital part of your home. However, sometimes it can experience issues that may need repair.
Interior signs include a sagging floors or ceilings, gaps in door frames and windows, nails sticking out of drywall and moldy spots. It’s important to have any cracks assessed by a professional. Call now for to get connected with your Tulsa professional today!
Uneven Floors
Uneven floors are the first and most basic sign that your foundation may be in trouble. They are often caused by soil movement and can be exacerbated by a variety of other issues. If you notice that your floors are sagging, you should call a foundation repair expert right away to discuss the issue and find the best solution. If left unchecked, uneven floors can cause sagging ceilings and cracks in walls and doors that won’t close properly.
Evening out your floorboards is a relatively quick and inexpensive fix, but it’s important to take the time to check the surrounding areas of your home for any other signs of foundation problems. Look for signs of moisture around doors and windows, rot and loose wallpaper. You can also use a level to check that your home’s foundation walls are straight up and down and from side to side.
Some people think that they can deal with foundation problems on their own without the help of a professional, but this is usually not the case. Professionals have the tools, safety measures and experience to do the job correctly, so it’s much safer and more effective for them to handle these types of repairs than it would be for homeowners to try and do it themselves.
If you are thinking of purchasing a property, check the floors for signs of unevenness. This will give you an idea of how serious the problem is and whether it can be addressed before you move in.
Cracks in Walls
The foundation of a house is one of its most important structural parts. It spreads out the structure’s immense bulk to prevent it from sinking into the ground. However, over time it is inevitable that a home will “settle” on its foundation. Some cracks are simply a part of this normal process, while others are early signs that the foundation is in trouble and should be addressed as soon as possible.
If the cracks are purely cosmetic and are found only on interior walls, they may not be much of an issue. In these cases, the cracks can often be repaired with a bit of strategically-placed filler and a lick of paint. However, if they are horizontal, jagged or stair-step and have grown rapidly over a short period of time, they could indicate more serious structural problems that need to be addressed immediately.
The good news is that a skilled technician can typically assess the cause of these cracks and recommend an appropriate course of action. This may include repair work such as concrete injection or reblocking (where the foundation footings are replaced) or more significant repairs such as underpinning or house levelling depending on the severity of the crack and the soil type.
Many people assume that the first signs of a foundation problem are obvious and can be seen on floors and ceilings, but the truth is that the warning signs tend to show themselves on vertical surfaces such as walls and door frames. If you notice any of these symptoms in your home, contact a professional immediately to arrange an inspection and repair work. Left unchecked, a foundation problem will only get worse and cost more to fix as time goes by. Call URETEK ICR Gulf Coast today to request your FREE house foundation inspection. Our expert team of Houston foundation experts is ready to help you with your home foundation repair needs!
Sagging Ceilings
The slightest shift in the foundation can shift the ceiling structure. This can cause sagging, which isn’t good for the structural integrity of the home. If you have noticed a sagging in your home, contact a foundation specialist right away. If you are looking to buy a new home, it is important to have a full inspection before moving in to make sure there is not a serious issue with the foundation.
A sagging foundation can also affect the walls and floor of the home. This creates uneven pressure on the walls and floors, which can lead to cracking. The sagging can also pull walls away from windows and doors. This can lead to more serious damage and higher repair costs.
When a home has cracks that are wider than a quarter-inch, it may have a serious problem with the foundation. This can be caused by water-saturated soil that expands and pushes in the wall or the foundation. This is a clear sign that the foundation needs to be repaired or replaced.
Another sign of a foundation issue is if the piers and beams of the house have rotten wood. This is a major problem and should be looked into immediately. This can be due to moisture, a flood or a termite infestation. The rotten wood can cause the foundation to shift, which is not good for the house.
If the foundation is shifting, this can compress walls and support beams in certain areas. This can then make the weight of the home unbalanced and cause warped floors and sagging ceilings. The foundation must be fixed to restore the balance and prevent more issues from arising.
Knowing these signs of a failing foundation can help you avoid the problems that can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. Even a small crack in the foundation can lead to serious problems, so it is important to have your home regularly inspected by your professional, Tulsa Foundation Repair. If you are considering purchasing a home, have it inspected by three to five well-respected companies that have no affiliation with each other.
Cracks in the Basement
A basement that shows cracking in the walls and floors is a problem. This could signal a shifting foundation that can pull walls away from windows and doors, leaving gaps in which moisture or bugs can get in. It’s best to call in a professional right away when you see this sign of foundation problems.
Even if the cracks are non-structural and fixed with epoxy or other non-invasive solutions, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on them as they can widen over time. When cracks widen, they can lead to more serious issues that require expensive repairs or structural damage.
Crawling bugs such as ants, pillbugs, earwigs and roaches are another warning that your house is suffering from a foundation issue. These pests can be a sign that moisture is getting in through the foundation, which leads to mold and mildew. This can cause skin irritation and breathing problems if not cleaned up quickly.
Often, these bugs will also find their way through door and window frames and into the living space. If you notice that your doors or windows are becoming difficult to open and close, this is a big warning that the foundation is shifting, which can also cause other problems such as water leaks or bowing walls.
Water is the biggest culprit when it comes to foundation problems. If the soil around your foundation can’t drain well, it will become saturated with water that expands and puts pressure on your foundation footings and walls. This is a leading reason for cracks in the interior and exterior of your home. You can prevent this from happening by ensuring that your gutters are properly working and keeping debris out, and by ensuring that the ground slopes away from your foundation. Visit https://www.foundationrepairtulsa.com/ to schedule your foundation inspected by an expert!
A solid foundation is a vital part of your home. However, sometimes it can experience issues that may need repair. Interior signs include a sagging floors or ceilings, gaps in door frames and windows, nails sticking out of drywall and moldy spots. It’s important to have any cracks assessed by a professional. Call now…