Why You Should Leave Foundation Repair to the Pros

Plano Foundation Repair can be a tricky and expensive project. It’s best left to professionals who can recommend the most effective method based on the soil report, and then execute the repair professionally.

Foundation Repair

In most cases, steel piers or piles are the most effective long term solution for a stable home foundation. They work in nearly all upper soil conditions and are considered permanent repairs.

When you first spot a crack in your foundation, your mind may race with fears of structural damage and thousands of dollars in repair bills. While there are certainly some situations where foundation cracks require professional intervention, most cracks are non-structural and can be easily repaired.

The most common type of foundation crack is a hairline crack. These are caused by the natural drying, settling, and curing of concrete and do not pose any serious structural problems. If you notice a hairline crack, check with your home builder about the possibility of it being covered under warranty. If not, you can try a diy solution like epoxy or polyurethane injection to seal the crack.

If you have a horizontal crack that is accompanied by a wall that bows in or out, this could be an indication of a more serious problem that requires professional intervention. In these cases, it’s important to remove any vegetation or items that are causing pressure against the wall, and to make sure the yard slopes away from the foundation by at least 2 percent. This will help prevent further movement and protect against the need for expensive and extensive repairs.

Stair-step cracks are another potential sign of a settling foundation, and they should also be addressed as soon as possible. These are caused by uneven pressure between the soil and the foundation, and can become more severe over time. The longer you wait to address a stair-step or diagonal crack, the more expensive and difficult it will be to stabilize your foundation.

Once you have a crack that needs to be repaired, it’s best to focus on the interior first. Start by eyeballing your basement or crawl space to ensure the walls look straight from one side to the other and that they’re sitting level on piers or supports. You can also use a simple level to see if any of the wooden beams or support posts are dipping in or out. After you’ve fixed any issues on the inside of your foundation, it’s time to move outside.

Water Infiltration

The foundation is the structural base of your home, and any compromise to this structure can be a major problem. Water infiltration is one of the most common causes of foundation damage, and it can cause cracks, shifts, settling, and other issues that threaten the integrity of your home and reduce its resale value.

Water infiltration happens when the soil around your home becomes saturated with water that cannot drain away. This excess moisture places hydrostatic pressure against your foundation, which can push on existing cracks and cause them to get wider over time. It can also erode the soil and lead to movement of your foundation or piles, resulting in shifting and settlement.

If you notice signs of water infiltration, it is important to take immediate action. These signs include:

Cracks in the foundation walls and floors that appear small at first but widen over time. Moisture seeping through these cracks and into the basement or crawl space. Damp basements and crawl spaces that support mold growth, affecting indoor air quality and posing health risks. Doors and windows that don’t close properly or stick due to water infiltration.

Waterproofing treatments can repair the effects of water infiltration and prevent future problems. These treatments include:

Regular inspections can help you identify potential problems before they become severe and costly. A trained professional can check for a range of issues including:

Shifting Floor Joists

Floor joists are the wood beams that support your home’s floors. When they begin to sag, they can put your entire foundation at risk. This is one of the biggest telltale signs that there are serious problems in your crawl space or basement and it’s important to act quickly to fix it.

The problem often starts in the crawl space where it’s easy for water to seep through and damage the floor joists, wood beams, and sill plate. Over time, this can rot the wood and cause it to weaken or even collapse.

Moisture in the wood can also make it easier for mold and other organisms to grow, which will further damage the joists. When the joists get too soft, they’ll shift under the weight of your house and create high and low spots in the floor.

There are a few different ways to repair sagging floors, but most experts agree that it’s best to leave this type of project to the professionals. They have the experience and expertise to conduct a thorough assessment of your home’s foundation and design a viable solution that will not only save you money but also keep your home safe.

Most sagging floor issues are caused by rotting or other damage to the joists that aren’t repaired right away. Depending on the severity of the issue, you may need to sister a joist to add additional strength. This means adding an identical joist to the existing one and connecting them together with screws or nails. It is important to choose a joist with a good bending strength, like Southern yellow pine or Douglas fir, and to use construction adhesive to ensure that the new joists stay securely attached to the floor.

In some cases, you may need to replace the joist altogether if it’s too damaged or unstable. This can be a more expensive option but is usually necessary to maintain the structural integrity of your home. It is important to consult with a professional to ensure that your floor will be properly supported and that the repairs will not impact your home’s value when it comes time to sell.

Crackling Noises

When cracks appear in your home’s foundation, it’s usually time to call in the pros. While many of these cracks aren’t a cause for alarm and may be resolved with a little DIY work, if the cracks start to widen, change direction or turn corners, you should call a professional right away.

In some cases, the cracking sounds you hear might be caused by the settling of your house. This is normal and should be expected, especially in newer homes, but the movement of the foundation can cause other issues that may not be as obvious. These problems can include sagging floor joists, uneven flooring and cracking walls.

Another cause of crackling noises is expansion and contraction of the concrete. This can occur due to changes in temperature or moisture levels, or it could be a sign of an underlying structural issue. Fortunately, these issues can be prevented by adjusting the moisture level around your foundation and keeping the area well-watered.

If your cracking is accompanied by other signs of structural damage, such as shifting windows or doors that no longer open and close properly, it’s time to call for a foundation repair contractor. These professionals will assess the foundation and determine if it’s safe to continue living in your home while repairs are made.

While some cracks in a foundation can be repaired with epoxy injection kits, others require more extensive and costly repairs that should only be done by a professional. It’s important to identify the type of crack in your foundation, clean out any debris, and apply a waterproof sealant to prevent further deterioration and damage.

If you’re noticing strange cracking sounds in your home, it’s crucial to take action before the problem gets worse. Even if the cracks aren’t structural, they can still lead to water damage and other costly problems if left untreated. Using a step-by-step guide to repair cracks in your foundation can help you save money on expensive repairs while keeping your home safe and sound. By reading this guide, you’ll have all the information you need to make a confident and informed decision about your next foundation repair project.