Signs and Causes of Foundation Issues in Your Home

Paradise Home Improvement

Foundation issues can be one of the most worrying things to notice happening to your house, and it can seem like it is going to be a scary and expensive process to fix them. However, foundation problems and damage are a lot more common than you probably think, and in most cases can be resolved with fairly routine procedures done by foundation repair specialists.

If you are concerned about the types of structural and foundation problems your home could experience, what signs to look out for, and how this kind of damage can occur, then here, we have what you need to know to spot foundation issues and get in touch with someone who can fix them before the problem gets worse:

What Causes Foundation Issues?

Problems with the foundations of a home usually fall into one of two categories – issues as a result of the soil the structure is based on, and issues with the construction job itself. If a house wasn’t built with proper consideration for the foundations, problems can take time to emerge, but will eventually show themselves and need to be fixed. However, even houses built to the very best standards can experience foundation issues due to changes in the soil underneath them.

If there is a period of drought, or conversely, more water than usual, or there are issues with poor drainage, then changes in the water content of the soil can cause problems with the foundations. When an area becomes drier than usual, the soil can leave your foundations without their usual support by pulling away, which can lead to problems like cracks. Equally, poor drainage or more water than usual creates a form of pressure called hydrostatic pressure that can make walls begin to buckle. Talking to specialists in new construction plumbing can stop these types of issues in the first place.

The clay in the soil can create similar problems, with the upheaval of the foundations often being caused by clay soil expanding and settling of the foundations occurring when soil constricts.

Signs to Look For

It is best to look out for signs of potential foundation problems and contact a specialist like Helitech if you notice any problems and need an inspection to see if fixing a foundation crack or other repair work is needed. These are common signs you may see:

  • Large cracks in basement walls, drywall or plaster
  • Floors starting to sag
  • Doors and windows sticking – this can often mean the house is settling
  • New cracks around windows
  • Leaning or curving walls
  • Visible cracks in the foundation

What to Expect

The procedure to repair your home will differ depending on what is wrong with your foundation, and how serious the issue has become, but in most cases, it will be something that can be rectified without too much hassle by a foundation repair specialist. You should never try to repair foundations as a DIY job. Contact an expert to get a diagnosis and quote as soon as you see an issue.

Foundation problems don’t have to be a major crisis – just make sure you know what to look out for and call an expert if you notice anything suspicious going on with your home!

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