Many Homes Suffer From Foundation Problems, does yours?
To identify the foundation problems your home may be experiencing, you first need to know what signs and symptoms to look for. It's easy to ignore foundation issues when you don't know what you're looking for, right? No homeowner wants to hear they have a foundation problem, since foundation repairs are usually associated with expensive and invasive projects. However, if you know what you're looking for and can identify the foundation problem before the damage is too severe, you can take a much less invasive approach with foundation repair costs at a lower rate. There are three main foundation issues your home can experience, let's look at what those issues are and what are the most common symptoms of each.
There are several different layers of soil under your foundation. When your home was first being built, contractors had to dig an area to place your foundation, and sometimes those layers of soil that are under your foundation become disrupted. When one of these layers can't support the weight of your home’s foundation, it will begin to sink and settle. You might hear someone tell you that it's completely normal if your foundation settles. I mean sure, technically that's a factual statement- but that doesn't mean that it's a good thing OR that you must accept it. Many homes suffer from foundation settlement. It's a slow process that you won't see immediately, but over time it can cause serious damage to your home.
Signs of foundation settlement might include stair-step wall cracks, separating chimneys, exterior foundation wall cracks, interior wall cracks, bowing or buckling walls, and even windows and doors that "stick" when trying to open and close them. Many homeowners of foundations that Liberty Basement Systems permanently stabilized mentioned they tried to repair the foundation issues on their own. While that may temporarily hide the issue, it does not permanently solve the problem. The good news is, Liberty Basement Systems CAN permanently fix your foundation problems! We use foundation piers that permanently stabilize settling foundations that extend past the troubled soils, can lift your home back to its original level, stabilizes light structure such as decks or stoops, and the installation is usually completed in 1-5 days! They truly do make such a visual difference as early as installation day.
2.) Floor Problems:
If you have cracks on your basement floor, it's likely that it was caused by foundation movement. Soil conditions can cause many foundations and concrete floors begin to sink and settle over time. This can place stress on the concrete, eventually causing it to crack. Sagging floors is another common problem a home can experience. If you have ever experienced "bouncy" floors when you walk through your home, this is a very good indication that you may have a structural problem with the supports in your crawl space. Some will try temporary measures, or quick jacks that can be purchased at your local home improvement store to fix their sagging floor problem. By doing so, the underlying issue is not being addressed leading to more money and time spent to DIY your sagging floor problems. Uneven and cracked floors are very problematic. The cracks create tripping hazards, caused the value of your home to decrease, makes your home uncomfortable, and are often symptoms of a foundation problem. Liberty Basement Systems have the options that work.. permanently! We install support jacks that not only stabilize your floor, but also restore your floors back to its stability. Liberty Basement Systems provide the best floor repair services that ensures your home will be safe, stable, and level!
Stair-step cracks are the most common signs of potentially serious damage to your foundation wall. Other symptoms may include, bowing and buckling foundation walls, and horizontal cracks. Some factors that can cause your foundation wall to fail are Expansive Clay Soil, Frost, and Hydrostatic Pressure. When the moisture in the ground increases and decreases, clay expands and contracts causing movement in your foundation, pushing the wall forward. Frost can put immense pressure on your foundation wall, with forces so powerful that it can even lift shallow foundations up out of the ground. Hydrostatic Pressure is when water saturates the backfill soil around your foundation causing pressure to be built against the foundation wall, leading to wall failure. No need to worry, Liberty Basement Systems have the options that work! We have a variety of foundation wall repair products from carbon fiber-reinforced polymers to steel beams and brackets to permanently stabilize your foundation walls for good!
Knowing the signs of foundation problems can save your home from serious further damage. Liberty Basement Systems specialize in quality foundation repair, can diagnose any foundation problem, and provide the permanent solution for your home. If you are experiencing foundation problems, call our office today and schedule your free foundation repair estimate!
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