Home foundations quite literally hold our homes up since they’re the first part of the home that was built. Whether you have a concrete slab, crawl space, wood, stone, concrete, or basement foundation, every home needs one before the framework begins. If homes didn’t have foundations, the structure would collapse from shifting soil, extreme weather, or too much pressure that the framing couldn’t support.
Foundation issues are no fun to deal with, often causing nightmares for homeowners. Whether your foundation shifted from the soil settling, water damage occurred to the foundation and basement, or from inadequate building issues, it’s very costly to repair.
Are you aware if your home has foundation issues? Don’t worry – we’re here to help you identify common foundation issues so you can spot a problem early on, and some tips for how to fix them.
8 Common Foundation Issues
Not all foundation issues are an indication there’s a serious problem if caught early enough. Below are some common foundation issues to be aware of:
1. Wall Cracks
Take a walk around the perimeter of your home’s foundation. Do you notice cracks on the exterior wall? While not all cracks indicate extensive damage, you’ll want to get them repaired immediately to avoid furthering the cracks.
Likewise, examine the inside walls of the foundation, assuming it’s accessible through a crawlspace or basement. If your basement is finished you probably have drywall covering the foundation walls. If you notice cracks on the drywall, don’t immediately panic; drywall isn’t as sturdy as concrete and can crack more easily. However, you should be concerned about horizontal cracks and cracks that extend from the ground to the basement ceiling.
Hairline cracks can be common and not a big deal, but if you notice horizontal or long cracks, it’s probably time to contact a professional to examine and repair the damage.
2. Smelly Basement
Though it’s common for a basement to smell a little different than the main levels of our homes, they shouldn’t have an overpowering smell. If your basement or crawlspace has a pungent odor like rotting vegetables or a musty scent, odds are moisture is getting into the basement by way of a damaged foundation. If you notice an overpowering smell that makes you cringe, it’s time to contact a professional. You’ll want to repair the damage before mildew and mold spread.
3. Damaged Home Siding
While home siding can be damaged from a severe storm, a faulty gutter system, or getting too close to it with a weedwhacker, some home siding issues correlate to foundation issues. Home siding exists as a barrier to protect the inside of the home, yet if it has holes or cracks from storm damage, water can penetrate through the layers of the wall, eventually making its way to the foundation. Home siding that’s buckling or warped can also indicate a structural issue with the foundation.
4. Cracked Drywall
Cracked drywall doesn’t always indicate foundation damage underneath, but it’s a great starting point. Drywall can crack from the impact of a severe storm, using poor quality materials, fluctuations in temperature, or the foundation settling. If you have extreme cracks in your drywall or it’s crumbling, it’s best to remove it and look at the interior foundation wall.
5. “Sinking” Feeling
When builders construct a home, they often pour the foundation and level the ground so that water and snowmelt flow away from the house. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen and water can pool around the foundation from improper grading or faulty gutters. A foundation can sink if it has extensive water damage, so it’s best to call a professional if you notice a sinking feeling in your home.
6. Drainage Issues
Your home’s plumbing is a quintessential home component that protects it from drainage issues. Unfortunately, damage can occur to your home’s plumbing if your home has foundation damage. How? A sinking or cracked foundation can cause the pipes in your home to lose balance, causing flow restrictions. If you’ve noticed recurring plumbing issues, it could be caused by a foundation issue.
7. Chimney Damage
Do you think a damaged chimney can’t indicate a foundation issue? Think again. Chimneys are connected to a home’s foundation, whether integrated with the foundation, mounted to the wall, or has a separate footing. Unfortunately, a damaged chimney can indicate structural damage from the foundation shifting. If your chimney appears tilted or has cracks contact a professional company to examine your home’s foundation.
8. Warped Floors
Floors can warp from water damage left by humans or pets, using an abrasive cleaner, or from a damaged foundation. How? Flooring can start to crack, slope, or sag if the foundation has shifted. White not all warped floors indicate a foundation issue, uneven or cracked floors are a cause for concern.
How to Fix Foundation Issues
Luckily, there are measures you can take to fix foundation issues. Below are some ways to fix foundation issues:
Mudjacking
Mudjacking has been around since the 20th century, and the general concept is still the same with some different practices. Mudjacking used to include pumping literal mud under unlevel or cracked concrete to make it level. Advances in the mudjacking process now include pumping an organic mixture of sand or dirt and cement, helping it hold up better than mud.
While it’s more affordable than other foundation repair techniques, it’s a temporary solution that needs redoing every few years since it doesn’t fortify the soil underneath the damaged foundation.
Polyjacking
The polyjacking process includes drilling tiny holes into uneven concrete, applying polyurethane inside the small holes, and lifting the concrete to level it once again. Why does polyjacking apply the foam through the tiny dime-sized holes? Polyurethane foam expands when injected and fortifies the soil underneath the concrete to raise it and make it level with the rest of the driveway, patio, or other concrete structure.
Polyjacking is the most permanent solution for foundation repair because it fortifies the soil underneath the foundation, never allowing it to shift again.
Trust Pro Polyjacking with Your Foundation Repair
For foundation repair, consider polyjacking from Pro Polyjacking. This process stabilizes the soil and, as a result, lifts the concrete to fix cracks and level the foundation.
Foundation cracks and other damages are unsightly, especially if they’re on a commercial building you own or your home’s foundation. Trust the professionals at Pro Polyjacking in Kansas City for your concrete repair. Contact the team at Pro Polyjacking for more information about our foundation repair service!