If you start to notice foundational damage to your home, you might wonder what would happen if you just didn't do...well...anything. Here's a glimpse into what would happen to your home if you ignore foundation issues.
Sinking Foundation Repair
The first signs of foundation trouble are uneven floor boards or seemingly crooked door frames. This can mean that your foundation is settling, sinking, or shifting over time, affecting the structural integrity of your home.
Insect & Small Mammal Infestation
Foundation problems leave crevices that allow small insects or rodents to infiltrate your home. Sheltered, humid, dark environments are perfect for living and, most startling, breeding. That means an infestation can escalate quickly, and could possibly cause further damage to your home.
Plumbing Issues
Shifting foundations from expansive soils could cause pipes beneath your house to crack or burst. They may even leak water underneath your home for years before you notice. Piping materials below the surface expand and contract with temperature changes, making the pipes below the concrete slab of your home's foundation the most vulnerable. Since these pipes are also the hardest to access, this is usually an expensive repair.
Mold & Mildew
For pier and beam homes especially, mold and mildew can be catastrophic. If water finds its way beneath the sealing of your pier and beam foundation, wood rot will set in and can possibly affect the health of your family, especially those with asthma. Mold and mildew are another silent issue you may not notice until it has grown extensively beneath the surface.
When you suspect a sinking foundation, see cracks in the foundation of your home, or see other signs of foundation problems, it’s essential to have your home inspected right away. Failure to fix foundation issues right away can lead to greater foundation damage and more expensive repairs in the future.
The Consequences of Delay
It may seem inconvenient to have your home's foundation inspected or repaired, but preventative maintenance is the easiest and most affordable way to avoid larger issues in the future.
Here are a few consequences that come with delaying the repair of your home’s foundation:
Growing Structural Damage & Repair Costs
The longer you wait, the more serious these issues will become, until calling in a structural engineer for more complex repair methods is the only option. Correcting foundational issues from the first signs of damage is incredibly affordable compared to the damage that may come with ignoring the problem for even six months.
Water Damage
Cracks in basement walls or foundational slabs are a warning sign that water may begin to seep into your home. The longer water is allowed into your home's foundation, the more likely significant water damage will occur, possibly to the damage of your personal belongings.
Increased Utility Bills
A foundation that can transfer extra moisture and humidity into your living areas will also make your air conditioning unit work harder to maintain the desired temperature. The extra strain on your A/C will also put a strain on your wallet with rising utility costs.
Going Above Your Pay Grade
Some issues, like water drainage around your home, can be fixed by the homeowner with a little advice from a professional. But without a professional to evaluate where your foundational issues are coming from, you won’t know what projects to undertake to protect your home. If you go too long without an inspection of some kind, you may miss the window of opportunity for DIY, and skip straight to paying an expert.
Schedule Foundation Repair
If you think it may be time for a professional foundation inspection, or you know you need a foundation repair, we would love to assist you. To schedule foundation repair service, call a professional at Lone Star Foundation Repair today.
