Spotting problems with the foundation of your home shouldn’t be difficult. The degree of damage the foundation has could be way out of your league, but some problems you should be able to spot without any difficulty. Hiring a waterproofing and foundation repair specialist can be the best solution if you have a foundation problem, and they can find the problem and give you an estimate for you so you can shop around and find the best possible deal. Check their credentials before admitting anyone into your home, and make sure their standing with the BBB is good before signing and writing checks.
For more about foundation repairs, follow the links below.
The Easy Way to Waterproof Masonry Surfaces
For brick, stone, and concrete surfaces, exposure to moisture can be damaging, if not immediately then gradually and inevitably. Fortunately, it’s easy to protect masonry surfaces—and the interior of your home—with a waterproofing treatment from DRYLOK. Here’s how.
For the last 50 years or so, new home foundations have almost always been made of concrete. Ranking among the toughest materials on the planet, concrete boasts surpassing strength and durability. It’s also cost-effective and, for the average contracting crew, relatively easy to work with. Considering its many virtues, there’s little wonder that in the construction of my own home four years ago, the builders saw fit to erect the wood frame over a foundation of poured concrete.
Though it’s long-lasting and hard-wearing, concrete is far from invincible. It’s naturally porous, and that means it’s susceptible to moisture. If exposed to enough moisture for a long enough period of time, a concrete foundation can leave a home vulnerable not only to damaging leaks, but also to unhealthy mold and mildew. In severe cases, compromised concrete at the foundation level can even upset the overall structural integrity of the home, necessitating extensive, expensive repairs.
Identifying House Foundation Problems
Foundation problems may mean expensive repairs. Here’s what to look for to keep small concerns from becoming big headaches.
Knowing the early warning signs of foundation troubles can head off problems that ultimately could cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix. The sooner you identify potential problems, the easier — and less expensive — it is to fix them.
The 4 Basic Indoor Warning Signs
Houses settle over time, and a little unevenness isn’t cause for panic. At the same time, you’ll want to be alert to these warning signs that more dramatic changes are taking place:
1. A door begins to jam or fails to latch.
2. Cracks appear in walls, especially over doorways, windows, or where walls meet ceilings.
3. Cracks open in vinyl or ceramic tile over a concrete floor.
4. Windows that used to open and close easily suddenly begin to stick or won’t close completely.
How-To Guide: Foundation Repairs and Sealing Foundation Cracks
Foundation repairs run the gamut from simple DIY fixes to major reconstruction. Learn more about foundation repair costs and when it’s best to call a pro.
If your foundation has cracks wider than 1/4-inch wide, or if you have stairstep cracks in blocks or bricks, you can hire a contractor to plug them by injecting epoxy ($1,500-$3,000) or do it yourself with epoxy putty, but either way, you’ll only be stopping water from coming in.
You need to fix the underlying problem.
The most common culprit is water. It can accumulate in the soil around the foundation, which expands the soil and puts pressure on walls and foundation footings, causing cracks to appear.
Check to make sure all gutters and downspout drains are in good working order, and that the soil around your foundation is properly graded — it should slope at least 6 inches for every 10 horizontal feet.
Most foundations are required to have a perimeter drain system, such as a French drain, that channels sub-surface water away from the foundation.
It’s possible for this drain to become blocked, causing water to accumulate in the soil and putting pressure on your foundation walls. If you suspect a blocked drain, you will need to hire a professional to unclog it.