The home we live in is the most important investment we will ever make. And we spend more time in our houses than anywhere else. So when you invest in a home, it can be life-changing for your family.
Like any other investment, homes need to be maintained properly to get the full return on your investment. When you purchase a home, you are also purchasing all the structural components of that home, whether or not you are aware of them at the time of your purchase. This includes the foundation, which can show signs of problems throughout your home.
Are you safe living in a home with foundation problems? Yes, you can live in a house with foundation problems, but you may notice these additional issues further down the line.
Cracked Walls and Windows
The first indication of foundation problems is wall and window cracks. It can be an extremely big issue if you’re living in a home with this problem, as it very likely isn’t something you can fix yourself over time.
Your home inspection will let you know whether or not this is even worth worrying about at all. A professional inspector typically first goes through each room in your house, moving from one side to another to look for any possible signs of damage. Then, they perform one final check outside of the structure itself.
Jammed Doors and Windows
There’s nothing as frustrating as having to fight with your front door every time you want to go out, and there’s no good reason why this would be the case with a brand-spanking-new home.
It is another issue that can be diagnosed by an inspector and is pretty common in older homes — especially those where the doors were installed poorly or the windows jam easily because of poor maintenance over time.
However, it can also be a sign of a shifting foundation, as jamming doors or windows can be a result of subsidence.
Mold and Water Damage
You’ve probably heard numerous times that foundation problems will lead to water damage, and it’s true. However, what’s happening is not always as simple as you might expect.
In some cases, a shifting foundation can be lethal to the integrity of the exterior walls of a house. Because there are gaps where masonry or other materials should be filling, water leaks in through these voids and threatens the life of your home from the inside out — which means you have a whole new set of issues to consider when dealing with this problem!
Uneven Floors
Uneven floors are a problem that you’ll notice very quickly. If you walk from one side of your house to the next, there will be a second when you feel like the ground beneath your feet has shifted and dropped an inch or two.
In some cases, it may not even be subtle — if the foundation underneath your home has lifted or sunk in a very noticeable way, you’re looking at serious problems on your hands!
So, your foundation may be shifting. What steps should you take next?
How Do I Fix My Foundation?
Generally speaking, once foundation issues have been found, professional examination will be needed to figure out what is going on and how it can be fixed.
In-Depth Foundation Inspection
The first step in figuring out whether or not your home has foundation problems is seeing what exactly is going on underneath the structure itself. This type of inspection is known as an in-depth foundation inspection.
A licensed inspector will typically use ground-penetrating radar, pressure meters and other noninvasive devices to figure out what exactly is going on with the foundation under your house.
This type of foundation repair doesn’t always require you to tear up more than a few inches of concrete before you can find any issues that might need to be handled. Most in-depth foundation inspections are done before purchasing a home, although you can have one done during any other time as well to get a better understanding of what might need to happen.
Choose the Best Foundation Repair Contractor
After you have determined that your home does have a foundation problem, it’s time to hire the right contractor for the job.
There are several different types of contractors who can help fix your foundation issues. But since this requires highly specialized work, you must go with someone who has proven expertise in working with these types of problems.
You will also want to work with someone who guarantees their work, offers fair prices and stands by their work.
Hire Ray Arnold Masonry
We’re committed to caring for all your masonry and general contracting needs, having over 70 years of expertise.
You can rely on us because we concentrate on creating long-term relationships with our clients, providing the greatest possible service and continuing to expand and develop.
Contact Ray Arnold Masonry today for all your masonry needs.