Construct This: A Contractor's Blog

Foundation Damage May Get Worse If You Don't Have Repairs Done Soon Enough

11 May 2021 by Joyce Rivera

An earthquake could damage your foundation when it moves the earth under your home, but a much more common cause of foundation damage is expansion and contraction of the soil. As the soil expands and contracts, your concrete foundation moves, and the wear and tear over the years lead to cracking. Here's why the soil moves under your house and how to repair your foundation and reduce the risk of further damage.

Water Causes The Soil To Expand And Contract

Water is the main reason for soil movement. When the soil is saturated, it expands. When there is no rain for an extended time, the soil contracts. If you experience drought conditions in the summer, your home could be at a higher risk of foundation damage. If there's a drainage problem on your property and the area around your foundation is always wet, that could also lead to foundation damage.

Consistent Moisture Prevents Foundation Damage

You can't do anything about the weather, but you can control unnecessary water damage. Things like gutters that empty near the foundation and edging that holds water near your house seem like simple problems, but they can cause water damage to your foundation.

If excess water is the problem, a foundation repair service might recommend putting in an outdoor French drain system that keeps water away from your foundation by draining it to a safe place.

Fixing the cause of damage is important, or your foundation might crack after repairs are done if the issue persists. A French drain isn't the only solution for keeping your foundation dry. The foundation repair service chooses the right approach based on the exact problem on your property and the type of soil under your house.

Foundation Damage Often Escalates

Foundation damage might get worse over time, so you want to call a repair contractor to discuss your options as soon as you can. At some point, your doors and windows may get sticky or your walls might develop cracks, and that adds to the cost of repairs.

Just as there are different causes of soil shifting and foundation damage, there are different ways to make repairs. Your foundation might need poly foam injected under the slab to fill in a void from soil that has washed away. The contractor might need to brace the walls or drive piers under the foundation. The method chosen depends on whether your house is on a slab, has a basement, or is over a crawlspace. The contractor also considers how extensive the damage is since it's possible you might only need to have cracks filled.

For more information, contact a local foundation repair service.

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