Getting your foundation repaired is one of the biggest home projects you can take on. The type of repair you need depends on your soil type, climate, and foundation build.
If you have stair-step cracks, you may be able to plug them yourself with epoxy or polyurethane foam, but this is only a temporary fix.
Cracks are a common sign of foundation problems. These are caused by a variety of reasons, including soil settling, moisture infiltration and changes in temperature. These cracks can cause structural damage to your home or building and lead to costly repairs if not addressed. There are many different ways to repair foundation cracks based on the severity and underlying cause of the crack.
Non-structural cracks are the least of a concern as they don’t pose a threat to your foundation’s stability and usually only occur in the middle section of your walls. These types of cracks are often hairline thin and only grow very slightly over time. They can be caused by concrete shrinking during curing, settlement and moisture infiltration.
Structural cracks are much more serious and can be a sign of severe shifting or movement in your foundation. They are usually wider than 1/4 inch and can run vertically, diagonally or horizontally. If your foundation has structural cracks, it is important to have a licensed home inspector look at them right away. These cracks can be very difficult to fix on your own and will need to be addressed by a professional contractor who specializes in foundation repair.
Diagonal cracks are usually more of a concern than vertical ones. These cracks run at angles of 30 to 75 degrees from vertical and are caused by differential settlement in your foundation. This can cause other issues in your home such as leaning or bowing walls, doors and windows that won’t open or close properly and water seepage through the foundation cracks.
Although non-structural cracks don’t threaten the integrity of your foundation, they should be repaired immediately. The longer a crack is left untreated, the worse it will get and can eventually cause leaks, poor indoor air quality, increased wear on your heating and cooling systems, pest infestation and mold growth. Foundation cracks can be repaired by a professional contractor who will apply a concrete crack sealant to the surface of your foundation walls. If you do the work yourself, make sure to use a high-quality product like epoxy injections. You should also apply a waterproof masonry sealer to the surface of your foundation walls to help prevent water infiltration and to protect the crack repair materials.
Uneven Floors
Uneven floors are often considered a major indicator of a foundation issue, but they’re not always the case. For example, uneven floor in crawl space houses may be a sign that the support piers have settled into the soil or that the screw jacks have deteriorated and rusted out, rather than an issue with the foundation itself. However, any time a house’s floors start to slope, it’s a good idea to call in local foundation repair professionals for an inspection.
Even newer houses can have problems with their floors if the foundation isn’t constructed properly or there are issues with soil and drainage. If the foundation isn’t stable, it can cause the floors to slope or develop alarming bumps over time.
The best way to tell if the floor is sloping is to place a marble on the floor and see which direction it moves toward, as this will indicate the slope of the floors. If the marble moves faster, it indicates a steeper slope. Sagging or sloping floors aren’t just a nuisance – they can also pose a trip hazard for anyone who lives in the home and they can lead to serious structural damage in the future if not addressed immediately.
How Uneven Floors in Foundations Can Be Fixed
There are several different ways that uneven floors in foundations can be repaired. For example, if the problem is due to settlement, professional contractors can install push or helical piers into the soil around the foundation to reinforce it and lift the house back up to its original level. This is a non-invasive solution, and the homeowner won’t have to leave their home while this repair takes place.
If the sloping is caused by joists that are not properly supported, professional contractors can use crawl space jacks to counter the weak supports and stabilize the floor joists. These are galvanized steel jacks that can be adjusted over time, so the floor won’t have to remain completely level.
Uneven floors in a foundation can be a serious problem and should be repaired as soon as they’re detected. If left untreated, they can lead to structural damage in the house and other costly repairs down the road.
Leaking Pipes
Most of the plumbing in a house is located underneath the foundation, so when it’s damaged, it can cause serious problems for the home. A leaky pipe can result in water loss, which will lead to soil erosion and can damage the foundation itself. This can be very costly to the homeowner.
If you have a leaking pipe under the foundation, it is important to call in a professional as soon as possible to diagnose and repair the problem before it becomes too much of a nuisance. The professional may need to re-route some pipes to avoid the area where the leak is occurring in the foundation.
There are several signs of a leaking pipe that you should look out for. These include wet spots on the ground outside when it hasn’t rained recently, wet floors inside the house, and cracks in the wall and floor. Other symptoms that a leaky pipe is present may be an increase in your water bill or the presence of mold and mildew.
A leaking pipe under the foundation is a very serious issue, and it can be very difficult to detect. You should never attempt to repair the problem on your own as this can create more problems for your home. Instead, call in a plumber to inspect and repair the leaking pipe as soon as possible.
Depending on the size of the leak, the plumber may be able to patch the hole and save your foundation without needing to dig or excavate. If the repair is extensive, the plumber will probably need to remove a section of the concrete slab.
It’s also important to keep in mind that if you have had recent foundation work done, it’s a good idea to call a plumber to make sure that the new work has not impacted your plumbing system. The movement of the foundation can pull or shift the pipes and can result in broken or misaligned pipes as well as clogged ones. Clogged pipes are not usually a concern, but if you notice that your foundation is shifting, it’s important to have a plumber check out the plumbing system before the problem gets worse.
Crawl Space
Crawl spaces in foundations provide easy access for plumbing, electrical and some home systems. Unfortunately, they also offer a way for water to get into the house. This is because crawl space foundations don’t have a floor to impede water’s progress. This gives water an easy entry point and places the flooring structure closer to moisture than it should be.
Moisture in a crawl space can cause rotting and mold growth that leads to structural damage in the house. It can also lead to sagging floors, a condition that can be dangerous for anyone living in the home. This problem can be prevented by regularly cleaning the area and ensuring it has adequate ventilation.
If a homeowner notices signs of moisture, they should take steps to remedy the situation immediately. This will prevent the problems from worsening and will protect their investment.
A professional should thoroughly inspect the crawl space before making any repairs. This will allow the contractor to identify potential issues and determine the best course of action for repair.
There are a number of effective repair options for sagging floors and other structural issues in crawl spaces. For example, a contractor can sister joists or replace sagging support posts. They can also add screw jacks to lift the floor joists and improve stability.
Another common fix for a sinking crawl space is to install supplemental concrete columns. These are typically placed in the crawl space and topped with wooden shims. However, this is a short-term solution and can actually further weaken the existing concrete structure.
To keep moisture out of the crawl space, homeowners should invest in a drainage system that directs groundwater away from the home’s foundation. They should also consider encapsulating the area, which involves sealing vents and covering the floor with a thick vapor barrier. This will not eliminate moisture completely, but it will significantly slow the deterioration of crawl space structures. Additionally, a dehumidifier can help to further control moisture in the space.
