Foundation Repair

Water Foundation Damage: Its Causes and How to Spot, Prevent, and Repair It

Is your foundation suffering from water damage? Water is a common culprit when it comes to foundation damage, especially in climates where heavy rain and flooding is common. Here are some tips on how to spot and repair water foundation damage.

Water Foundation Damage: Its Causes and How to Spot, Prevent, and Repair It

How Water Damages Your Foundation

There are a few ways water can cause damage to your foundation:

  • It can cause wooden parts of your structure to rot.
  • It can cause the soil under your foundation to erode or shift over time. This causes a lack of support for your foundation, which leads to shifting and cracking.
  • Moisture can cause the soil around your foundation to expand. This puts pressure on your foundation, leading to cracking.

Warnings Signs of Water Damage

Here are some common signs of foundation damage caused by flooding or moisture:

  • Cracks appearing in the walls and floors of your basement.
  • Walls bending or sagging, either inward or outward.
  • A musty odor that doesn’t seem to leave your basement.
  • The appearance or the odor of mold or mildew.
  • Discoloration of your walls, wallpaper that is peeling off, or a carpeted floor that becomes moist and spongy.

How to Prevent Water Damage

Some climates and areas are more prone to water damage. However, you can decrease the likelihood of it occurring in several ways:

  • Maintain your gutter regularly so that it properly drains water away from your home.
  • Employ drainage methods to keep rainwater away from your foundation.
  • Maintain your pipes to prevent them from bursting and flooding your home.

What To Do If There Is Water Damage

If you suspect that your foundation may be damaged as a result of flooding, contact us right away. Our professionals will inspect your foundation to check for any damage. Excess moisture will be removed, and the foundation will be strengthened and repaired.

Is Your Foundation Sinking? How to Spot a Sinking Foundation

One type of foundation damage homeowners might face is a sinking foundation. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to spot. Here are some useful tips to answer your question: Is your foundation sinking?

Is Your Foundation Sinking? How to Spot a Sinking Foundation

What Causes a Sinking Foundation?

A foundation can start sinking if it was laid improperly by the contractor. It can also occur if it was laid on soil that is not stable. Soil will level and change over time, and it must be stable enough to uphold the foundation for an extended period of time.

How Can You Spot a Sinking Foundation? 5 Signs to Look For

Here are some warning signs that may indicate a sinking foundation:

  1. Uneven floor: This is a more extreme example, but if the foundation is sinking deep enough, your floor may become visibly uneven.
  2. Cracking walls: If the walls near your foundation are developing cracks, especially if these cracks are appearing long after the house was built and are continuously worsening, then they may be caused by the pressure put on the walls from a sinking and uneven foundation.
  3. Sagging walls: The walls may bend outward or inward.
  4. Stuck doors or windows: If your doors and windows get jammed, it might be because the floor is uneven, even if you can’t see it.
  5. Puddles: Puddles near the base of the foundation.

The Importance of Dealing With the Problem Quickly

Not dealing with a sinking foundation right away will cause many problems later on. The foundation will continue to sink and lead to structural damage to the entire home.

How to Deal With a Sinking Foundation

There are several methods of dealing with a sinking foundation. These methods, employed by professionals, are designed to strengthen the soil and provide additional support to the foundation.

If you suspect that your foundation may be sinking, call a professional to conduct an inspection right away. Contact us for more information.