Local Foundation Repair In Nashville, Tennessee
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When should I be concerned about foundation cracks?
Not all cracks are created equal. Just because you have found the whereabouts of a crack in your foundation or basement walls does not necessarily mean that you have a crisis on your hands. Should I be worried about foundation cracks? This is a question that every homeowner should ask themselves. And the answer is sometimes yes. If the cracks in your basement are wider than an 1/8 inch and are continuously growing larger this can indicate that there is a serious problem with your foundation.
Cracks forming in a foundation can occur even after you have performed every foundation leak detention measure that has been recommended. Such as installing a sump pump and maintaining the perfect grade away from the foundation. Figuring out what is causing the occurrence of foundation cracks, the process of repairing, and what else to watch out for will help you prevent unnecessary panic and worry. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to damage in a foundation in Nashville TN. Poor construction, wet soil or overly dry, earthquakes, inadequate drainage, loose oil, and frequent changes in temperature can all be the cause of cracking in a foundation. This being said, water and flooding are the most common cause of foundation issues, and it doesn't matter how proactive you are with waterproofing, no house is safe from the dangers of flooding. Cracks in the foundation are divided into 3 generic categories:
Cracks forming in a foundation can occur even after you have performed every foundation leak detention measure that has been recommended. Such as installing a sump pump and maintaining the perfect grade away from the foundation. Figuring out what is causing the occurrence of foundation cracks, the process of repairing, and what else to watch out for will help you prevent unnecessary panic and worry. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to damage in a foundation in Nashville TN. Poor construction, wet soil or overly dry, earthquakes, inadequate drainage, loose oil, and frequent changes in temperature can all be the cause of cracking in a foundation. This being said, water and flooding are the most common cause of foundation issues, and it doesn't matter how proactive you are with waterproofing, no house is safe from the dangers of flooding. Cracks in the foundation are divided into 3 generic categories:
- Shrinkage: shrinkage cracks are generally found in homes with concrete
- Horizontal: water or soil pressure can cause this kind of crack.
- Settlement: this particular type of crack can occur in almost any home. However, their location and size correlate with extent and severity.
- sloping floors
- cracks in the drywall
- Bowing walls
- the misalignment of windows and doors
- brickwork cracks and ceramic tile
How do I know if my foundation needs repair?
Maintenance of home foundation should be part of every home maintenance plan, but the majority of homeowners do not worry about this. If you can educate yourself in the signs that your home might need foundation repair you can save thousands of dollars by making minor repairs early, rather than waiting until a small issue turned into a major dilemma. So how do you know if yours is a home that needs repair? We will go over some of the warning signs that you need to look out for. Remember that a more proactive foundation repair mindset is much less costly than a reactive foundation mindset.
- Windows and doors that stick together and do not shut and open like they used to can be a pretty common sign that there is settling occurring in your foundation.
- Cracks that appear on the inside walls as well as cracks that appear on the exterior of your home, such as zig zag cracks in a wall. This is another sure sign of settlement occurring in a home. A piering system offers a lifetime fix for this problem.
- Gaps can be found between the ceiling and the Crown molding. This is yet another indicator when it comes to your homes foundation.
- Gaps can also appear between windows and doors and the caulking. This is generally a cause due to a home that is shifting and settling.
- Sinking foundations and sunken floors. If you begin to notice that the ground is sinking near the base of your foundation, this could mean there is a big foundational issue. Feel free to get in contact with a professional as soon as you can if this is happening.
- Patios tend to pull away from the house.
- If you begin to realize that the wallpaper around the walls begins to wrinkle and crease, this may be due to the shifting of the foundation. As the walls shift so does the wallpaper.
- Nail props. These are cracked small circles where the nail pulls away from the wall or sheetrock, this exposes the head of the nail or pushes away paint from the wall.
- Floors that are starting to slope. Even small drops across a homeless foundation can lead to issues. But if your home slopes more than an inch every 20 feet then you have a crisis on your hands that should be taken care of as soon as possible.