Pros Foundation Repair Greensboro NC company will assess the underlying causes of your foundation problems. They’ll also provide a detailed plan to correct your foundation’s issues. They should also explain their warranty policies and how long the repairs typically take.
You can live in your home during foundation repair, but you might want to move furniture and other possessions away from the walls.
Cracks in a foundation are not necessarily a sign of serious trouble, but they may be an indicator of an underlying issue that should be addressed sooner rather than later. It is important to keep an eye on these cracks and to have them professionally evaluated and repaired as soon as possible. Foundation damage can worsen over time, and it can also allow moisture into your home, which can cause odors, mold, and pests.
Most concrete foundation cracks are hairline in width and are found running vertically or diagonally across the wall. These are caused by normal settling and are generally cosmetic, not structural, issues. If a crack is extending past the corners of your home or you can fit a quarter in it, it’s time to call Renco for an evaluation.
Foundation cracks that are between 1/8 and 1/4 inch wide may be a sign of shrinkage in new concrete. This typically occurs within the first month after a foundation is poured. It is a common result of water evaporating from the concrete during curing and can be resolved with crack repair materials such as epoxy.
Wider cracks in a foundation are usually an indication of more significant problems and require immediate attention. You should also be aware of other warning signs such as sticking doors and windows, a tilting chimney, or gaps between walls, ceilings, and floors. Poor drainage around your home can also lead to a wet basement or crawl space, which can then lead to structural issues in the foundation. It’s a good idea to regularly walk the perimeter of your home and look for signs of movement in the foundation. In addition, it’s helpful to take pictures of the cracks with your phone so you can track changes over time and see if they’re getting wider or worsening. Getting these cracks repaired early can prevent further damage and help you save money in the long run.
Settlement
Settling is when portions of a foundation sink into the soil beneath it due to varying loads or environmental conditions. It can evolve gradually over the course of many years or occur suddenly after significant environmental events like heavy rain or drought. Settling can lead to wall cracks, doors and windows that stick, and uneven floors. If left unchecked, it can escalate into severe structural damage to the building above.
Differential settlement can be corrected in a variety of ways, depending on the severity and cause. Repair methods may include underpinning, which transfers the majority of the load to deeper soil layers to reduce the amount of pressure on the foundation. This technique can also be combined with shoring to strengthen the existing structure.
Another method of repairing differential settlement is helical piers. These are drilled into the ground underneath the affected area and then used to lift the foundation back into place. These are a more cost-effective solution than underpinning and can be completed in less time than traditional excavation techniques.
Regardless of the method chosen to stabilize the settled foundation, it is important that homeowners are aware of the difference between normal and problematic movement in their foundations. A foundation inspector can help determine whether a shifting foundation is cause for concern and recommend appropriate remedial solutions.
The most common sign of foundation problems is cracking, both vertical and diagonal. This can be caused by both settling and expansive clay soils. These cracks can widen over time, becoming stair-step in appearance as sections of the foundation move away from each other. Difficulty opening or closing doors and windows can also indicate foundation movement. Gaps between the frames of doors and windows may also appear, although these are not always a cause for concern.
Sagging floors can also be a sign of foundation problems. This occurs when the support system for the floor becomes weakened due to excessive weight, moisture levels, or poor construction techniques. The most serious issue resulting from this type of problem is when the floors slope down and affect the integrity of the building.
Water intrusion
Foundation repair isn’t just about preventing cracks; it also involves addressing water intrusion, which can cause serious damage over time. Water infiltration happens when moisture penetrates the concrete, brick, or stone that forms a foundation, seeps into pores and cracks, and then expands and contracts as it changes temperature. This constant cycle of expansion and contraction weakens the materials that form a foundation, ultimately causing them to deteriorate.
This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, including excessive rainfall, flooding, soil shifting, and poor construction. Improper drainage is another common cause of water intrusion. This can be due to clogged gutters that allow rainwater to spill over the sides of a home in sheets, downspouts that don’t direct groundwater and surface water away from the house, or improper grading that allows water to pool or saturate soil around the foundation.
Water can enter a foundation through cracks, through the soil surrounding the foundation, or through direct penetration of a crack. Structural cracks of 1/4 inch or wider may indicate a serious issue that requires immediate attention. Other signs of a serious issue include a musty smell, peeling paint, and puddles in the basement after rainfall.
A professional can assess the severity of a water intrusion problem and recommend the most effective solution for your situation. In many cases, this will involve removing the excess water and then sealing the cracks with special epoxies or sealants. This will prevent further movement of the cracks and reduce the potential for future structural damage.
For a more comprehensive approach, a professional can install some type of drainage system to help reroute groundwater and surface water away from the foundation. This might include a French drain system, a rain garden, or other water-channeling strategies. In some cases, the professional might recommend underpinning or soil stabilization techniques to address a more severe issue. Taking action to correct a water intrusion problem promptly can protect the integrity of your foundation and save you money in the long run. By recognizing the early warning signs, you can keep your home safe and dry for years to come.
Types of foundations
There are different types of foundations in homes. Some are more prone to damage than others. It’s important to understand the difference in order to recognize problems that may arise. For example, if you see diagonal cracks extending from doors or windows, it’s a sign that your foundation is moving and needs repairs. Cracks that go from wall to wall are also a sign that your home’s foundation is shifting.
A slab on grade foundation is a concrete slab that sits directly on the ground, without a basement or crawl space underneath. It’s usually less expensive than other types of foundations but can be problematic if the soil beneath it is unstable. If the soil moves significantly, hydrostatic pressure will build up, pushing against the foundation from below. This can also happen if there is poor drainage, causing water to accumulate in the soil.
Slab on grade foundations can be repaired using a method called helical piers. This involves drilling several cylindrical holes into the ground below your foundation, then screwing steel piers into place and using hydraulic jacks to lift the foundation back to its original elevation. This type of repair is often used in areas with unstable soil or high flood risk.
Brick or stone pier foundations are common in older Texas homes. These foundations elevate the home off the ground, which improves ventilation and makes it easier to access plumbing and electrical fixtures. This type of foundation can be damaged by moisture if the soil under it shifts, which may require a pier and beam repair.
The best way to protect your investment is to prevent future damage with regular inspections and maintenance. A professional can help you identify signs of foundation problems like sticky doors and windows and hairline cracks in the walls and floors. Repairing these problems early will save you money and keep your home safe. It can also help you secure a higher selling price when it comes time to move. Remember, a foundation repair company should be licensed and insured, and they should be able to explain the problem clearly in terms you can understand.