Clear Warning Signs Of A Damaged Foundation
Posted on: 12 May 2022
Foundation damage is often difficult to spot. In fact, many homeowners can't quickly identify the signs of a damaged foundation until it's too late.
Discover two foundation damage warning signs to help you know when to contact a professional foundation repair service.
Foundation Cracks
Foundation cracks are often unsightly and can indicate a much more deeply seated problem.
Several things can cause these cracks, including:
- Soil expansion and contraction. When the soil around your foundation absorbs water, it expands. When the foundation dries out, the soil contracts, which can cause cracks in the foundation structure.
- Poorly compacted soil. The foundation of your house is only as strong as the soil it's built on. If the soil wasn't properly compacted during construction, it can settle over time and cause foundation cracks.
- Tree roots. The roots of trees and shrubs can grow beneath your foundation and put pressure on the foundation walls, causing unsightly cracks over time.
If you notice any foundation cracks, no matter how small, contact a foundation repair service as soon as possible. Left unaddressed, foundation cracks will only get worse over time. Eventually, your home could start to settle under its own weight or even worse, collapse.
Uneven Floors
Uneven floors are often one of the first indicators that a home or building has foundation damage. When the soil beneath the foundation settles, it can cause the floors to become sloped or uneven. In some cases, this settling is natural and inevitable. But other times, it can be caused by factors such as:
- Improper compaction of the soil during construction.
- The foundation was not built on solid bedrock.
- The foundation was not properly reinforced.
Either way, you need to take action as soon as possible to avoid further damage. The repairs themselves can be costly, but they're necessary to keep your home or building safe and structurally sound.
A quick and easy way to identify uneven floors is to use a level. Simply place the level on the floor in different areas of the room. If the bubble is not centered, then the floors might be uneven.
You can also look for cracks in the walls or for doors that are not level with each other. For example, a door might be higher on one side than the other if the floors aren't even.
Foundation damage is not something to be taken lightly. If you think your foundation may be damaged, contact a foundation repair service. They can assess the damage and provide you with a repair solution that will protect your home for years to come.
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