If your foundation is suffering from issues, it is important to get on those repairs as quickly as possible.
While the summer this year was actually pretty dry, the last week or so has given us a lot of rain in pretty contained bursts. What does this result in? Flooding. Have you noticed flooding or new or worsening foundation issues lately? There are lots of ways and reasons that foundation develop issues, often related to settling or water damage. If your foundation is suffering from issues, it is important to get on those foundation repairs as quickly as possible. When foundation aren’t addressed, the issues only continue to grow and can eventually be catastrophic. Let’s do a short overview of what you need to know about foundation repair.
Issues Foundations Can Have
One of the primary types of foundation damage includes cracking of foundation walls or cracks around doors and windows. These usually result from the settling of the building because it was build on highly compressible or improperly compacted soils or soil with a high expansive clay content. Foundations can also suffer damage when the masonry materials start to wear away, either over time or due to water intrusion. When the materials wear down and/or wash away, the stability of the ground is impacted.
Causes Of Foundation Damage
Foundations issues that are rooted in poor initial construct will usually be because the building was built on poorly filled land or incorrectly filled land. The soil under a foundation needs to properly compacted and sturdy to support the building during its lifetime. Occasionally, issues under the foundation can develop even if the construction was done correctly. This includes sinkholes and instances when the soil below grade starts to wash away. Roots intruding under the ground is another potential cause of foundation damage over the years. Finally, if the masonry itself is wearing out, moisture is often the main culprit.
How Foundations Are Repaired
Whatever the damage or cause, it is important to remember that issues need to be addressed quickly. The longer you wait, the more damage will occur. The foundation of the building is not something that you can wait out either – if the foundation sustains enough damage, the whole building could come down (or need to be demolished). Instead of waiting, you should have a professional come out and assess the damage and develop a plan to correct it. Depending on the type and extent of damage, the fix could be a small project or a huge one. In some cases, slapjacking (pumping a grout mixture into the cavity under the ground) might do the trick. In others, you might need to pier (lifting up the concrete foundation and installing additional supports called piers under it). If the masonry materials are simply wearing out or wearing away, the masonry might just need to be repaired. Only a professional can help you figure out what to do.
Lanham Construction For All Your Construction Needs
Lanham Construction is an award-winning and dependable construction company dedicated to serving your home or business with whichever construction project you have in mind. Our professional team is eager to serve customers throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. When you pick Lanham, you won’t ever have to worry about the process. We’re here to help every step of the way.
For more information on how we can help, visit our website or give us a call at 301-459-7545!