Home foundation issues can be caused by many things, including water damage, high humidity levels, and failing to install the foundation correctly. They can be very problematic for homeowners. The first step to preventing home foundation issues is to identify their causes.
What causes home foundation problems?
Home foundation problems are often caused by poor foundation design or poor construction. They can also be caused by heavy snow, strong winds, or extreme weather conditions.
Common causes leading to home foundation problems are:
- Poor construction leading to cracks in the foundation and sagging floors.
- Designing around old foundations that haven’t been updated for modern-day living standards.
- Heavy snow or strong winds can cause structural damage to your home’s foundation.
If you find that your home is sinking, it is most likely because there is not enough support from underneath to hold up it weight. Holes in the floor or ceiling can also lead to problems with shifting floors and settling walls.
The best way to prevent these complications is by making sure that there are no nails in the floor or holes in the ceiling.
5 tips to prevent home foundation issues before they occur
When it comes to home foundations, there are many bad things that can happen to them, and if you aren’t careful, they may happen to you. Many homeowners have learned this the hard way.
These tips will help you create a home that is more resistant to foundation issues and will keep it in better shape for years to come. To prevent problems from occurring in your home’s foundation, follow these tips and keep your foundation safe for years to come:
1. Fix Plumbing Issues
Leaks in your plumbing can be an issue; they can leak into the foundation, cause mold & mildew, or even affect where water is being pumped. Some leaks will also seep into the ground that covers your house and make it shift slightly. Unfortunately, homeowners often don’t know this problem is happening until serious structural issues come up. Therefore, routinely having your plumbing inspected for leaks will prevent this problem more often than not.
2. Improve water drainage
Every year, millions of gallons of water seep into homes and destroy floors, walls, and ceilings. The culprit is often a drainage system that isn’t up to par. To avoid this problem and keep your home’s foundation dry and stable, improve water drainage away from your home by using gutters and drains.
3. Keep trees away from your home
Trees can be a beautiful part of any landscape, but they can also cause foundation issues. Tree roots can invade and/or dehydrate the soil under your home and cause serious problems to its foundation. With trees growing around your home, it is important to keep them away from the foundation.
4. Check for cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation
Foundation issues can affect the structural integrity of your home and lead to serious safety hazards. A simple check for cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation can help prevent this disaster before it occurs. Other basic needs for a safe, sturdy foundation are to have a minimum of 12-inch underlayment, 8-inch concrete slab and 12-inch subfloor.
5. Stop overwatering your plants
Overwatering your plants can cause the roots to rot, which in turn can lead to foundation issues. Overwatering also creates stagnant pools of water that gradually seep into the ground, which can also affect your home’s foundation. So, before you water the heck out of your plants, remember that it could lead to serious harm to your home’s foundation!
Conclusion
Home foundations are one of the most important aspects of a home. A poorly designed foundation can lead to a house that is not structurally sound. So, it is important for homeowners to hire professionals who know how to make the foundation as sturdy as possible.
Contact us today if you have any questions about how to prevent home foundation issues from popping up.