The foundation of a house is an essential component that provides the necessary support for the entire structure. It acts as a sturdy, stable base on which the house rests, distributing the structure’s weight evenly to the surrounding soil. Whether your house has a concrete slab, basement, or crawlspace, the foundation’s role remains the same.
However, as with any part of a house, foundation issues can arise, preventing the foundation from functioning effectively. Some of the most common foundation problems include cracks, settling, and shifting. Cracks may appear due to changes in temperature or moisture levels while settling and shifting can occur when the soil beneath the foundation is unstable or poorly compacted.
Addressing foundation problems promptly is essential, as they can lead to more significant structural issues down the line. Fortunately, various solutions are available to fix foundation problems, such as installing piers, underpinning, or slabjacking. These methods can help stabilize the foundation and prevent further damage, ensuring the long-term health of your home.
Cracks
If you see cracks in a foundational wall or slab, it might immediately get the alarm bells ringing. However, in reality, it’s not always a major issue. Hairline cracks typically are not a cause for concern. If they get bigger, however, are uneven in width, run directly through concrete or a brick, or are letting water through, this could mean that the foundation has shifted. To that end, foundation repair from someone equipped to repair the masonry in the foundation directly is likely to be necessary.
Water Damage
The appearance of moisture or water in or around the foundation should always be a cause for concern. Nothing erodes foundations over time like water. Usually, water building around the foundation is caused by poor drainage away from the home. Improving the slopes away from the home, including the driveway and soil around the home, can ensure that water doesn’t pool around the bottom of it, and downspouts should discharge a good distance away from the home. For basements susceptible to water buildup, installing a sump pump might be the best way to stop water from wearing away at your foundation. Otherwise, it can do serious damage to the stability of the home.
Soil Issues
The foundation’s purpose is not to bear the weight of the home. The foundation serves as a conduit, directing the force bearing down on it to the soil around it. As such, great care is usually taken to ensure that the soil surrounding the foundation is stable enough to provide the support that the foundation needs. However, erosion, movement due to construction, disruption by tree roots, and other issues can affect the soil, making it less suitable to support the foundation, leading to the abovementioned issues. In that case, typically, the solution is to replace the soil with properly compacted fill soil.
Getting the Right Help With Your House Foundation
If you are concerned about the health and safety of your home’s foundation, Pinnacle Foundation Repair may be the team you need to contact. Qualified experts can inspect your foundation and assess the threat. Where necessary, they can provide the repairs that can offer your home stability and give you peace of mind. What type of repairs it needs will depend largely on the nature of the issue, but a team like Pinnacle specializes in finding those out.
