Our homes are one of the assets that we have to take care of because we need to maintain the value and beauty not only for our future profits but also for our children as well as next generations to live as a vacation place or family gathering to be held. Let’s assume that after 2 or more decades, we would like to see this property still at its best because this is the product of our hard work but that goal cannot be achieved without proper maintenance. That’s why when we have funds, we usually call experts to make some repairs, reconstructions, remodifications, and upgrades to keep it in good shape.
However, some homeowners always look at the internal or external ways to beautify this house so repainting or installing new equipment as well as upgrading and extensions are our usual projects. Of course, other concerns are also maintained, such as electrical lines, roofing, and HVAC systems but there is one thing that we often forget. That is about the foundation of the house which is very important because if this breaks down, then everything we spend for those upgrades will come to waste so let’s not allow this to happen to our precious homes.
Instead, we should also ask experts to conduct a more detailed inspection so that if a foundation repair is needed, then we can prepare for this project at the soonest time possible to avoid a more serious problem because of this. Always remember that the structure of any house or building is very important because when this weakens, then the property that you had been taking care of can be damaged due to natural phenomena, such as a tornado, strong typhoons, and even floods. So if you haven’t inspected the groundwork of your homes yet, then you contact an expert as soon as possible.
Why do you need repairs at home?
First of all, foundations must be regularly inspected for the safety of the members of the family who are living there, especially in places where earthquakes or floodings usually happen. Next, we need to make sure that this won’t be a problem when you have plans of selling your property because this will greatly lower the value of your asset.
When any possible signs of foundation problems was seen, the issue can be addressed right away and the costs of the repair will be reduced. Always remember that after constructing your house, the structure is expected to settle but when sudden cracking, as well as sinking, is observed, call an expert immediately to check the issue. We cannot let minor problems unattended because these will lead to larger damages so it is a must to repair them while they are still more manageable.
Cracking and Bowing Walls
One or two centimeters crack would be fine when noticed on the walls but when these vertical cracks are bigger or wider, then there is a possible issue to be worried about. This happens due to the gradual movements of the structure, settlement is usually unbalanced, and the quality of the ground or soil is poor – go to https://www.quora.com/What-causes-interior-house-wall-cracks for more info. Only experts can assess such signs so we need to consult one as soon as such signs was noticed.
Another sign on the walls is when you noticed it bowing which means that the problem is quite getting serious. This happens when the soil where the foundation was located is moving and if you fail to repair this, you’ll experience hydrostatic pressure as well as water drainage complications. When the soil is moving, it means that it is trying to move the foundation out of its place so it will push the frames connected to it.
To keep the firmness of the structure, the repairman needs anchor installation to help in stabilizing and straightening the bowing walls. The whole foundation might be rebuilt when pipes are leaking, especially if flooding is involved.
Uneven Floor and Sagging Ceiling
Again, when there is movement in the soil and waterproofing is poor, your floor would look uneven. We don’t always notice this until water starts to come in, causing the ground to slant or twist. Let’s not wait for the whole house to fall, so start the inspection soon to repair the foundation.
Maybe you also noticed that the ceiling is sagging and if the roofing system is fine, then there could be something wrong with the foundation because this could be moving. Keep in mind that this will not only affect the ceiling but the walls and floors as well. Repairs are necessary for this situation because if left unattended, then this will lead to a major breakdown – look at this to have an idea.
When that happens, door gaps will also start to show. Aside from that, you can also observe that the wood on the doors and windows is a bit sticky. This means that they are starting to expand due to humidity so you’ll find it quite difficult to close or open.