If you own a property, it is vital to have a yearly maintenance budget. There are so many things you have to take care of and ensure they work perfectly. It is why you need to maintain everything regularly. However, sometimes repairs cannot be avoided. These can be caused by the weather or natural wear and tear that cannot be prevented.
In this article, we will focus on your house’s foundation, tell you how to maintain it properly, and how much money you should put aside for potential repairs.
How to maintain it?
First things first, let us give you some maintenance tips. Naturally, your goal is to prevent any damage, which is why you need to inspect the foundation regularly. Yes, you can do this on your own, meaning that you don’t have to employ professionals, and therefore, pay for their fee.
Start by walking around your house and look for cracks or insect activity. If you notice any damage, make sure to seal it, and thus prevent the colony of insects from inhabiting the crawlspace. As you probably know, these can greatly accelerate the foundation’s deterioration. Next, you should not plant large trees near your house. Their roots will quickly expand, looking for water and nutrients, and the house’s foundation doesn’t stand any chance against them.
Finally, if you don’t have a drainage system, you need to install it as soon as possible. You will have to hire professionals for this task, and it can cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $9,000, depending on several factors.
Telltale signs of damage
Occasionally, you will face damage you need to repair immediately to avoid future problems and investments. Over time, the foundation can shift due to soil movements, and when this occurs, you will notice cracks on walls or gaps around the doors and windows inside your home.
If you live in Florida, you should investigate the Solid Foundation Repair Of Alafaya website to learn about potential risks and damage that can occur due to different soil types.
Moreover, if you notice moisture or mold in your home, the chances are that it originated in the crawlspace, and now it is infecting your property. In this case, you will have to invest in crawlspace encapsulation, which can cost around $7,500, waterproofing, which is about $5,000, or some other upgrades. It is vital to learn about these services beforehand, so make sure to contact Foundation Repair Alafaya FL companies, and ask them for a quote.
Does the insurance cover this cost?
While on the subject of repairs, we have to discuss this matter. Basically, it depends on the reasons the damage occurred. In most cases, the insurance doesn’t cover this fee since it is assumed it happened due to natural deterioration. However, in some cases, the insurance company may reimburse the cost.
This is only the case if you have a homeowner’s insurance policy that covers specific damage. For example, if you need to conduct foundation repairs due to a flood caused by a burst pipe, you may get reimbursed if your insurance covers this type of damage.
