Many of us don’t pay much attention to the foundation of our house until there will be foundation issues. Considering the foundation is what is holding up our home, we need to give it the attention it deserves.
If you have noticed damp spots, cracks, or other damage in the foundation of your house, these can be signs of a few different problems. Most of the problems your foundation faces come from only a few common issues.
6 Root Causes of Foundation Issues in Kansas City
These problems will vary, depending on your own situation, but these are the most common.
Moisture
Damp, plumbing leaks, heavy rain, melting ice and snow, overwatering the garden, any time there is excessive water or mixture sitting near your foundation for an extended period of time.
Make sure your eaves troughs face away from the house so the water doesn’t soak into the ground around the foundation. The reason moisture or water sits is often poor drainage systems.
Shifting Soil
The soil under and around the base of your home can shift. This is also almost always caused by moisture or lack of moisture. When the soil is too wet, it expands and needs someplace to go.
When it gets too dry, the home can sink, often on one side or a corner, causing cracks in the foundation, the floors can tilt, windows and doors will not fit properly, and cupboard doors will stick or swing open.
Clay or Rocks
If the soil underneath your home has a lot of filler like clay or rocks, it can move around when it gets wet. Good, even soil will do so, as well, but more evenly.
Pockets can form or open up when the soil gets wet or the soil around the clay and rocks dries out, making the foundation crack, slide or shift. The clay will absorb more moisture, making things uneven below and around the foundation.
Extreme Weather
Excessive heat can cause things to swell, and extreme cold will cause things to shrink or break. When your home experiences heat or cold and then the opposite in a short period, this can cause damage.
Melting snow or ice that then freezes rapidly around your foundation can make it shift, sink, crack, or break. This can also lead to leaks in your basement, flooding, and structural damage.
Tree Roots
Large trees around your home also have large roots. These roots can grow under your home and the foundation. They continue to grow, pushing everything out of their way, like soil, rocks, and can break the foundation.
They also require a lot of moisture to survive and will absorb the moisture that is in your soil. This dries out the soil and can cause shifting, cracks, leaks, and crumbling walls or foundations.
Poor Construction
Sometimes the foundation was poorly built or poured. This will make all the other problems you face happen much faster. Cheap materials and shoddy workmanship can mean foundation problems are going to be a constant concern.
Prevention
If you are considering buying a home, make sure you have the foundation inspected by a professional. We can spot any problems, or potential problems right away.
Contact us today if you are having foundation problems or you want to have your home inspected. If you are considering purchasing an older home, you definitely want to have the foundation inspected first.
Trust the professionals at Olson Foundation Repair. We have over three decades of experience serving the Kansas City Metro area, and we can provide emergency service, as well.