Foundation Repair Cedar Falls

Caring for the Foundation of Your Property's Structure
Settling is natural as your home ages which means that you may experience problems with the foundation. The primary function of the foundation is to transfer the weight of your home’s structure to the underlying rocks and soil; unfortunately, this may also lead to cracks in the foundation. Extreme settlement can devalue the structure as well as cause the building to be unsafe. It is important to note that a professional contractor should be contacted to address damages to the foundation. So, how do you know when it’s time to consider having the foundation repaired? Here are some signs of foundation issues and the dos and don’ts when it comes to addressing these problems.

Foundational Assessments
It is essential that you routinely walk the perimeter of your home and check the foundation. Even though you can’t always see any noticeable damages on the exterior of the foundation, it doesn’t mean the damage hasn’t occurred. Some things to be aware of that indicate the foundation needs repair include:

Drywall Cracking Complications
If you are noticing hairline cracks in the drywall, especially in the area between the ceiling and the top of the wall, it is a sure sign that the foundation is shifting. It is common to mistake these cracks as a problem resulting from the drywall, but in most cases, it is due to the foundation, so you should have the foundation inspected and repaired as soon as possible.

Door and Window Complications
It is common for the doors and windows to stick when the humidity is high or if they haven’t been moved for a while. However, if the humidity or age isn’t to blame for sticking windows and doors, it’s most likely a problem with the foundation. Foundation problems don’t just affect the windows and entry doors - if you are noticing problems with the cabinet doors sticking or not staying closed, it may be due to the foundation. The sooner you have the problem checked out, the quicker and less expensive it will be to make repairs before further problems arise.

Floor Complications
If your child’s toys roll across the floor without being pushed, it generally means the floors are uneven. Although this can be the result of aging wood, it may also be a sign of a foundation problem. Tile floors can be significantly affected by foundation issues, so always check for any bumpy or cracking areas. Another thing you may also notice in the floor is creaking, which may be caused by uneven floorboards. It’s best to have both the foundation and the floor inspected to determine what is causing the issues.

Roof Complications
Not many people would think that the roof could have issues that are directly related to their home’s foundation, but if you notice things, such as the fireplace slightly leaning or bricks cracking, it could mean the foundation is shifting. When the fireplace is affected by the foundation, it results in problems with the chimney, which ultimately affect the roofing system. Other places to check on the roof for potential problems with the foundation include the flashing around roof penetrations and the bracing used for satellite dishes. If either of these items has come loose or has gaps, it could be due to the foundation shifting.

Leak Complications
If you have water in the basement, there are most likely cracks in the walls. Any cracks, regardless of the size, must be repaired as soon as possible. The longer the water is allowed to penetrate into the walls, the greater the risk of the foundation crumbling and possibly collapsing. It is best to not attempt to repair cracks on your own. Using inexpensive materials such as caulking will only mask the problem. Although you may not see the water seeping through, it will continue to penetrate the concrete and damage the walls from the inside-out. Contact a foundation repair company as soon as you notice any signs of cracks in the foundation of your home.

Age Complications
One of the most frequent causes of foundation problems is aging. In older homes, stones and bricks that were used in building the basement walls were generally installed using mortar, which may eventually break down and cause older walls to sag and leak. If the brick or stone walls are structurally sound, foundation repairs will be relatively simple using a technique known as tuck-pointing. This method requires the contractor to remove the damaged mortar and replace it with new. If this is an issue on load-bearing parts of the walls, crumbling and sagging can lead to serious foundation repairs that must be done as soon as possible by a professional foundation repair company.