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Does My Home’s Foundation Need Repair?

Sometimes the most important things are those that aren’t readily visible. This is the case with the motor inside your car, the roots of a tree, or the foundation of your home. Sure, there’s nothing particularly exciting about a house’s foundation, but this feature of your home is essential to its stability and structural integrity. Occasionally, a home’s foundation will incur damage or will shift and will need to be repaired. So how can you tell if there might be an issue with your home’s foundation?

What Causes Foundation Problems?

The main culprit when it comes to foundation problems is water. Depending on the type of soil your home is built on, changes in the moisture level of this soil can cause it to expand or compress, thus shifting the foundation of your home. In general, soils with higher clay content are those that are most affected by changes in moisture, and those with lower clay content are less susceptible.

That said, there are plenty of situations where changes in soil moisture don’t cause any issues at all. If all the soil under your home expands or compresses uniformly, there generally is no damage done to a foundation and the change will be imperceptible. Issues arise when only a portion of the soil changes consistency, which could lead to slanting or damage to your slab.

How to Identify Foundation Problems?

Luckily, there are some telltale signs to watch for that indicate that your home’s foundation may be in need of repair. Even though you can’t easily see the foundation in most houses, a shift or problem with the foundation will usually manifest itself in other areas.

Doors that stick or don’t close properly, or windows that won’t open or where the glass is cracked are a good place to start. If you’ve recently noticed either of these things in your home, it may be that your foundation has shifted. Additionally, if you find standing water in your basement, crawl space, or around the exterior of your home there is a possibility that your foundation is cracked or damaged.

Finding a Qualified Foundation Repair Specialist

If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your home, or if you are thinking of buying a house where these indicators are present, you likely want to enlist the help of a foundation repair specialist. Cracked drywall and other issues can be caused by a number of factors, and a specialist will be able to make additional observations to determine to what extent foundation problems are contributing to these issues.

Check online to find a foundation repair specialist near you. Look for a contractor who has plenty of experience and stellar customer reviews. Your foundation may not be the most exciting part of your home, but it is definitely one of the most important. If there are any issues with your foundation you want to ensure that they are taken care of professionally as soon as possible.