What Everyone Should Know About the Basics of Foundation Repairs

March 9, 2017 Home Care

The foundation of a home is continuously under pressure by various things: from imperfect construction to hydrostatic pressure, the natural movements of the earth, and the weight of the house itself. When the external pressures on the foundation are too strong for the foundation, the house starts to see a variety of problems that can range from superficial to devastating.

 

How do you know if your foundation needs repair? You can learn to identify problems by reading this blog post, and here we’ll take a look at potential problems with the foundation and basic repair information.

 

Construction Defects
‘’If the house is new, then the base should be strong.’’ This is, unfortunately, not the truth, but a common thought among new home owners. The truth is that construction errors occur often.

 

The age of the construction or foundation doesn’t matter: every crack or problem in the base of the house is one that could compromise the structural integrity of the same. If the cracks were created by pressure, that pressure has to be controlled, or it will continue adding tensions to the already weak structure.

 

The Culprits: Causes of Damage
There are normally four causes of foundation cracks.

 

1.Natural drying, hardening and seasoning of the concrete can cause vertical fissures in some foundations. Depending on the conditions present during installation, including air temperature, particle density, humidity and other factors, the concrete can take up to ten years to fully harden, though the first 3 years are when most cracks occur.

 

2.Concrete foundations are subject to great stress when they are made. In order to save time and money, many construction companies fill the foundation before the concrete has had time to harden. This sudden pressure on the walls – combined with the impact of stones and other objects – can easy damage the wall. It is also more susceptible to temperature damage from shrinking and expanding.

 

3.While the cement is being placed, several metal bars are inserted that vibrate. These are used to get rid of air bubbles in the foundation. If this is done incorrectly or too quickly, the biggest air bubbles become part of the foundation. These bubbles make the foundation much weaker. And, to make things worse, when these expand and shrink due to temperature, which also causes deterioration.

 

4.If the cement is mixed with too much water, it is also wear and more susceptible to have problems earlier.

 

Fixing It
While there are many methods of foundation repair, we’ll look at the basics for general maintenance. Of course, very serious damage should always be inspected and repaired by professionals.

 

Normally, for holes or cracks, where the foundation needs to be repaired in order to protect it from the elements, a good option is to put fiberglass batts or insulation on the inside portion of the leaking wall, or plaster the bulwark.

 

If the concrete is sinking, which requires professional help, as slabjacking or hydraulic jacking are the most common repair types.