A solid foundation for your home is crucial to maintain the structural integrity of your house. The foundation is the protection from the decay and deterioration your home would experience if it were built directly on top of the ground on which your foundation rests. There are a few simple things you as a homeowner can do to prevent foundation problems, and some key things to look for if you suspect your home’s foundation may have been compromised and is in need of a foundation repair.
Inspect foundations every season
It’s a good idea to check your foundation at least twice a year, if not every quarter. Severe temperature changes and extreme weather conditions can cause soil around your foundation to become saturated with water or melting snow and ice. In drought conditions the opposite can happen, with the soil becoming extremely dehydrated and therefore shrinking. Either condition can result in shifting soil due to expansion and contraction in response to weather conditions and the amount of groundwater in the area, particularly if there is a high concentration of clay in the soil.
Watch out for signs of foundation problems
Begin by checking the grade or slope around your home for proper drainage. The best time to do this is during a heavy rain. Grab a raincoat the next time you get a significant rainfall and walk around the exterior of your home. Watch where the water goes; is it draining away from or toward the foundation of your home? Is soil being washed away from the area around your foundation? Is water pooling at or near the foundation? These are all signs of improper grading and signal the need to redirect water runoff away from your foundation, before soil loss results in the need for a foundation repair.
Inspect foundation walls for visible cracks, gaps, holes, or other types of damage. Although you may be tempted to fix these issues yourself, it’s always wise to consult with a reputable foundation repair expert and get a professional opinion on whether what you’re seeing represents a serious problem or can be easily remedied with a simple repair.
While you’re checking the outside of your home for possible drainage and foundation problems, don’t forget to look up. If your gutters become clogged, cracked, or broken, water can spill over the top of the gutters or begin running down the exterior walls of the home. Overfilled gutters can sag and eventually begin to pull away from their anchors, causing damage to outside walls and ruining paint on soffits and fascia. Summer is a great time to pull out a ladder and check for flaws in your guttering system. Check out any seams to make sure the caulking is still in place. A little silicone caulk or gutter sealant can prevent leaks and save you time and money in more costly foundation repairs caused by leaky or damaged gutters and downspouts.
Look for signs of trouble inside the house. If you notice cracks in the ceiling, walls, or floors of your home, uneven or sloping floors, and widows or doors that don’t open or close properly, you could be looking at telltale signs that your foundation could be shifting or sinking.
Why Us?
We offer Dallas homeowners precise inspections to pinpoint any foundation issues before they become major problems. Our easy payment and financing options, as well as our transferable lifetime warranties, help give you peace of mind that you’re getting the best possible foundation repair. At Advanced Foundation Repair, our Advanced Pro-Lift Technology will professionally correct your foundation problems. For the best in quality foundation repair and outstanding customer service, call Advanced Foundation Repair in Dallas today.