How to Fix a Sinking Foundation
A sinking foundation can cause damage to your home over time. It’s important to recognize the warning signs and have them repaired as soon as possible.
Look for cracks in the walls around doors and windows. These are usually the first to appear and are an early warning sign of foundation problems.
Cracks in the Walls
As your home settles, the little spaces in the dirt that hold it up can shift. This puts pressure on the foundation and can cause cracks to appear.
Some cracks are cosmetic, while others indicate a problem. For example, if you see a crack in your wall that runs vertically from a window frame to the floor, it’s probably just due to settling and not something to worry about.
On the other hand, if you notice cracks that look like stair steps or are wider than a quarter inch, they’re likely a sign of structural movement and a potential sinking foundation. In this case, you’ll want to get the problem fixed as soon as possible. The best option is to have a professional conduct underpinning in the affected area of the foundation. This will involve installing piers that can provide additional support and lift the foundation back to its original position. Depending on the severity of the sinking, this may also require removing some trees that are causing soil to shift and compact around the foundation.
Uneven Flooring
You might think that a dip or sag in your floors is just part of aging, but if left unchecked it could lead to structural damage. It can also be a safety hazard for you and your family.
When floor joists or beams begin to shift, it can affect the entire building and may result in uneven flooring. The good news is that this problem is usually less serious than a sinking foundation. This is because wood will bend and flex, while concrete will crack.
Moisture is another reason for uneven flooring and can occur in the ground underneath the foundation as well as within the structure itself. It can happen when there is poor drainage, which can cause soil to freeze and expand in the winter, or when there are heavy rains that create standing water and saturated soil. The solution here is to add proper drainage or a French drain. This will stop moisture from affecting the foundation and may prevent further damage to the floors.
Cracks in the Ceiling
You might not be as alert to cracks in the ceiling as you are to wall cracks, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. In fact, if they run diagonally across the ceiling and are parallel with floor or wall cracks, they may be evidence of sinking in the foundation below.
If you notice these cracks accompanied by sagging, it’s time to call a professional for a consultation and inspection. They are a sign of serious structural damage and must be dealt with immediately.
It’s possible your home is sinking in one corner because of soil erosion or instability. To repair this, a professional might recommend underpinning the home. Underpinning involves piers being installed beneath the foundation, which then help to lift it back to its original position. This method can be used in conjunction with mud jacking or helical piers, depending on what the sinking is caused by.
Structural Damage
A sinking foundation affects everything in your house, including the structure itself. If you notice that the walls are starting to lean or shift, you’ll need a professional to come out and inspect your home. This is especially important if your doors and windows start to misalign or not fit properly.
It’s completely normal for most homes to settle into the ground by about an inch or so after they are built. This is due to the weight of the house and changes in the weather, among other factors. However, if your house is sinking further than this, it’s a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately.
You can prevent sinking by getting a foundation repair expert to take a look at your house regularly and taking care of any issues as soon as they pop up. This will help to ensure that the problem doesn’t worsen and become even more expensive to fix.
Sugar Land Foundation Repair Solutions
www.sugarlandfoundationrepair.com
A sinking foundation can cause damage to your home over time. It’s important to recognize the warning signs and have them repaired as soon as possible. Look for cracks in the walls around doors and windows. These are usually the first to appear and are an early warning sign of foundation problems. Cracks in the…