Is it Safe to Live in a House That Has Foundation Issues?
Do you live in a house that has a foundation problem, or are you thinking about buying a house that has foundation damage? Let us consider how safe it is to live in a home with Foundation Repair. How to distinguish between ordinary foundation problems and a more serious foundation problem that poses a safety risk?
The foundation inspection of a house is the first step.
During the home-buying process, customers are frequently confronted with foundation damage questions that they are unfamiliar with assessing. To begin with, cracked foundation walls are not unusual in DFW. This isn’t to say that your new home has a foundation problem or structural damage.
Common Foundation Issues aren’t a Risk to Your Safety
In our area, slab foundations are built on loose soil. Because of the amount of water present, the clay soil base is continually moving. It is natural for foundations to settle. It frequently results in a vertical crack at the expansion joints, which are typically located where the garage joins your home and roughly halfway down the sides. slab foundation repair is compulsory.
Don’t be alarmed if you notice a hairline crack that is less than 1/16 of an inch wide. These aren’t indicative of a problem with the foundation. Instead, the expansion joints are performing their job and preventing damage from occurring.
Warning Signs of Severe Foundation Failure
Some fissures are more severe than others, and these symptoms can be found. The foundation crack’s width is the first sign. If the fissures are large enough to be measured in fractions of an inch, this indicates foundation movement that is not within typical limits. Moisture intrusion is also a problem.
Furthermore, if you see a diagonal crack, you should investigate the property further to determine what you’re getting yourself into.
Major Issues to Address for a Safe Residence
Integrity of Structure Because you have access to a crawl space, do you notice bowed walls or parts of a sinking foundation? These are all signs that a structural engineer should be called in to assess the extent of the foundation problem, as well as whether the home is safe to live in.
Uneven Flooring: Uneven floors can result from a moving slab foundation repair. This not only makes closing doors more difficult, but it also causes wider gaps where the drywall meets the floor and ceiling. If you live in a two-story house, uneven floors on the lower level will exacerbate problems on the upper level. Have the house inspected by a structural engineer once more.
Water Harm: This is a worry not only because water can damage wood and other things that aren’t meant to be in contact with it, but also because mold can grow in places where it isn’t supposed to be. Mold can enter a home through cracks and crevices, posing a health risk. Furthermore, a slab leak caused by a shifting slab may result in additional collateral damage to your home, which you should prevent.
Is it Safe to Live in a House That Has Foundation Issues?
It is probably safe to live in a home that has one of the frequent foundation issues we described. Most homeowners, on the other hand, will gain piece of mind by having their property inspected by a local foundation repair firm. This not only addresses safety problems, but it also addresses the cost of foundation maintenance.
However, keep in mind that hiring a foundation contractor does not necessarily guarantee an unbiased opinion. The cost of foundation restoration serves as an incentive for them.
