Many common foundation problems in North Carolina and South Carolina are due to soil problems. Varying soil problems and extreme changes in weather can negatively impact your foundation. Your home’s foundation may crack, or the walls may begin to bow or lean.
When the soil under a foundation weakens, the house begins to settle. While some small degree of settlement is common, if the house settles significantly or unevenly, problems are likely.
The foundation settlement, especially uneven settlement, causes strain on a home’s foundation. Too much strain can begin to cause foundation failure. And foundation failure brings a whole host of problems for your home.
Perhaps the most obvious issue is that the foundation could begin to crack. Cracks in the foundation are both a sign of more significant structural issues and a problem in their own right.
These cracks can be an entrance for both water and pests, making repairing the cracks a priority.
While some small cracks in concrete are common, others can be a sign of serious foundation issues.
Vertical wall cracks can indicate settlement issues, and more serious ones can indicate problems with bowing walls.
Always also watch for cracks that are growing in size.
While there are a number of reasons that floors could slope, from warping wood to a sagging joist, foundation problems are definitely on the list.
If the floor slopes across the room instead of just to the center or if a floor in a newer home is already sloping, it could be a sign of foundation failure and should be examined.
Along with being a sign of underlying foundation issues, a leaning chimney is a hazard in its own right. As a home settles unevenly, the chimney might get left behind, causing it to tilt.
If it falls, it could end up damaging both the roof and anything or anyone on the ground below.
Much like wall cracks, some cracking with bricks is common. Others, however, are signs of serious issues that demand repair.
Stair-step cracks and signs of bulging are two of the types of damage to watch for with brick walls.
At Tar Heel Foundation Solutions, we are foundation repair experts. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an inspection.
ECP is "The Very Best" manufacturer of steel foundation repair, waterproofing & anchoring products in the industry.
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