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26 March, 2023

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FOUNDATION REPAIR - FIXING YOUR HOME'S FOUNDATION PROBLEMS

26 March, 2023

Roof Replacement

Is the concrete beneath your home in distress? Foundation problems can lead to major structural damage within your home. Whether you’re a homeowner or a perspective buyer, foundation issues are scary and you likely have a lot of questions.

Some of the main questions are:

Are foundation cracks normal?

How much will repairs cost?

Will my insurance cover foundation damage?

Luckily, there are ways to repair a concrete foundation without having to tear it out and start from scratch.

If you suspect trouble, do the following:

Examine the foundation yourself for obvious issues

Have a repair expert do a home foundation inspection

Consult with a structural engineer if necessary

Find a specialist offering foundation repair near me.

Causes Of Foundation Problems

Site

Ram Jack Systems Distribution, LLC

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF FOUNDATION PROBLEMS?

Are you wondering if you have foundation issues? All foundations will settle with time, but problems arise when this settlement is uneven or extreme.

Here are the common signs of foundation stress:

Exterior Warning Signs

Wall rotation

Separation around garage door, windows and/or walls

Cracked bricks

Broken and/or cracked foundation

Displaced moldings

Interior Warning Signs

Misaligned doors and windows

Cracked sheetrock

Cracks in floor

Uneven floors

See these foundation problem pictures so you know exactly what to look for at your house.

Bulging floors, cracked walls, and doors that won't close are all signs of foundation distress. Sixty percent of all homes built on expansive soils suffer from foundation distress. The trouble occurs when only part of the foundation heaves or settles, causing cracks and other damage.

This differential movement is largely caused by differences in soil moisture. Loss or gain of soil moisture can cause serious shrinkage or swelling.

If the frame of a house does not begin to distort until after three or more years of satisfactory performance, it is doubtful that the distortion is caused by full-depth foundation settlement, which is always evidenced by matching cracks. Cracks occur at each side of a portion of the foundation wall that is undergoing downward movement caused by soil bearing failure.

Settlement cracks are nearly always vertical, and they should not be confused with cracks that occur when a wall is subjected to lateral movement from soil pressure.

WHAT CAUSES FOUNDATION ISSUES?

For the vast majority of damage, water is the primary culprit. Variations in moisture cause components of the soil to swell or shrink, leading to movement beneath your foundation.

Your property may be more susceptible to foundation damage if:

It was built on expansive clay

It was built on improperly compacted fill soils

The area around the foundation has poor drainage

You live in an area with extreme seasonal changes

You experienced a plumbing leak below your home

Tree roots are growing too close to your home

An earthquake, flood or drought compromised the structure

Those soils highest in clay content are generally more susceptible while those lowest in clay content are the least affected. In some areas the movement is insignificant; in others, it is quite pronounced.

When unstable soils are used as a base, the movement is transferred to the foundation. Since soil movement is rarely uniform, the foundation is subjected to a differential or upheaval. The problem shows up in both slab, and pier and beam type foundations.

If all the soil beneath a foundation swells uniformly, there usually is no problem. Issues occur, however, when only part of the home settles. Then, the differential movement causes cracks or other damages.

Issues resulting from foundation settlement:

Damage to the structure

Loss of real estate value

Tripping hazards

Unsightly cracks

Equipment malfunctions

Whatever the cause, settlement can destroy the value of your home and even render it unsafe. If you see signs of failure, don't delay in getting the problem solved. The longer you wait, the more your foundation will sink, causing further costly damage.

Cracked Wall

Site

Ram Jack Systems Distribution, LLC

FOUNDATION CRACKS

Hairline cracks are a common result of normal foundation settlement. However, you should be concerned if large cracks appear suddenly. If a crack is wider than an eighth of an inch you could have a possible foundation issue.

According to a Realtor.com article about foundation problems:

“Horizontal or jagged 45-degree cracks are the most serious and usually indicate you will need professional help.”

If unsure, monitor the cracks in your foundation, if they continue to expand, call a foundation company out to inspect the cracking.

WHAT REGIONS ARE MOST AFFECTED BY FOUNDATION FAILURE?

The soil type in certain areas of the country leads to a higher rate of foundation trouble. Areas with high clay content and coastal areas with lots of sand tend to see the most damage. Homes in these regions are at greater risk for foundation damage.

Foundation Issues in Texas

The following areas of Texas have expansive clay soil, which can cause foundation movement:

Dallas

Fort Worth

Houston

Corpus Christi

Austin

San Antonio

The soil conditions in Texas respond to rain and drought like a sponge. This expansion and contraction with changes in moisture puts stress on your foundation.

Foundation problems are also prevalent in areas prone to flooding, as was seen with Hurricane Harvey in 2017. If you live in Houston, you may want to elevate your house above the floodplain.

Additional factors that contribute to foundation failure in Texas include poor drainage around homes and the corrosion of cast iron plumbing or failure of cedar piers beneath older homes.

🔨Let us find the solution that works best for you and your roofing needs.

Source: concretenetwork

Portton Construction Inc: We are a General Contractor in Houston and surrounding areas. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, we provide general contractor needs for all domestic markets. In need of a home makeover? Look no further! We provide services in all areas of home remodeling.

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