Every house is built up from the ground up. Having solid foundations is paramount in keeping your house structurally sound. The structural integrity of your house relies on the strength of your foundations. It gives support to every other building element of your home and if the foundations are damaged, it can cause severe issues all over your home.
Knowing the costs of building and owning a house, you should be educated in noticing the early signs of foundation problems, which can save you thousands of dollars in the end.
1. Wall and floor crack
The easiest way of noticing emerging foundations issues is by checking your walls and floor for horizontal and vertical cracks. Note that not all cracks are a thing to worry about, as it is normal for the house foundation to sink some time following construction and for some time cracks to appear. Horizontal cracks are regarded more seriously than vertical ones as they generally indicate that the house foundations are under a lot of stress. Note that vertical cracks in gypsum walls are not a thing you should be worried about, as the seams between the gypsum cardboards usually crack over time.
2. Doors and windows not closing properly
If doors and windows begin to jam and latch, it might indicate a foundation issue. Note that if you live in an area with high humidity, your wooden doors and windows might just be swollen from the humidity. A clear sign of foundation issues is when one side of the door I higher than the other, i.e. the door is tilted.
3. Foundation cracks
As mentioned above, not all cracks are a concern for worry. If a single crack is bigger than an eighth of an inch you could have a possible foundation issue. If you notice a smaller crack in your foundations, you should definitely observe it for some time and keep an eye for it. If the crack gets any wider or longer it might indicate a foundation issue, so you may need to look for help. The professionals at Foundation Repair Athens TX can do all that, they are always available and they give free estimates.
4. Source of the issues
If your house was built on expansive clay or improperly compacted fill soils, or if it has improper drainage or water leaks it may lead to your house sinking in unevenly so one side of your house is lower than the other. What starts as a small depression in one area of your home can become a very large problem. If not taken care of, it is quite possible for the house foundation to settle 2- 4 inches into the earth. The longer you ignore the problem, the worse it will become.
Once you detect the presence of any of these problems, do not hesitate to seek the advice from a specialist. Building engineers have the ability to identify if one of these red flags is an indication of ordinary settlement or some kind of major structural issue that may need to be resolved. Adhering carbon fiber grids with epoxy, installing steel braces, underpinning the foundation with bolts or concrete piers, as well as constructing an entirely new foundation.
