Foundation Repair Warning Signs
A crack here or there is annoying but easily covered. A sticking door, just a little bother. These are both signs that you might need to have some foundation repair.
Your home is an investment. There is nothing more frustrating than watching that investment sink into the ground,
quite literally. In many parts of the country foundation repair is a common occurrence due to drought, excess rain, or soil type. There are a few things you need to know about the process to ensure that you make the right decision when you are trying to fix your investment and keep your home from literally splitting in two. Once you know the signs and what you need to fix it, the better able you’ll be to hire the right company.
Before you start calling companies you need to know some of the tale-tell signs that there is a need for foundation repair. One of the early indications that you’ll see is doors and windows not closing properly. This could be a door that suddenly starts to stick or a window that doesn’t seem to be hanging right. Also a door that won’t stay open without propping it open is an indication. This usually means there has been some settling and one side of the door, or window, is not hanging square to the rest of the frame. At first it might just seem like a nuisance but it does require attention.
Another indication that you need foundation repair is cracks along the wall. Generally these cracks are located in the corners of your room and may not be noticeable at first. Again this means that there has been settling and your room is slightly off kilter. Your home requires attention before the cracks get worse. Internal cracks in the walls are often seen before external ones, but these are also indicators that should not be ignored.
A final indicator is cracks in the concrete floor, driveway, walkway, or patio. If your driveway is starting to crack then chances are the floor underneath your carpet or hardwood is also seeing fractures. Settling has gotten to an extreme at this point and potential damage to plumbing is possible. Should you continue to ignore the issue for a lot longer you will have a bigger problem on your hands. If the foundation repairs are not performed you can break the pipes that run beneath your home and cause flooding to your house.
If you see any of these signs you need to contact a foundation repair specialist. When looking for a specialist you need someone that will guarantee their work for an extended period of time. Repairs like this are costly and you need to know that adjustments can be made, fee free, for a certain period of time. Also you need to know if the warranty provided is transferable should you sell the home during this time period. Concrete piers are good but will need adjusting more than solutions that go further in to the ground. While they do work, you might want to consider all your options to ensure you get something that will work longer and take less adjustment during the warranty period.