Foundation problems should be addressed right away. If the problem persists for a longer time, you risk being faced with bigger damage that will have major structural impacts on the entire home. Many homeowners will notice what may appear as minor cracks or other signs but will choose to ignore them and then act all surprised when bigger issues develop, as if the problem occurred over night. Read on to find out what you need to do once you suspect that something may be wrong.
Call in an Engineer
If you notice the following signs; cracks in the foundation, misaligned windows, doors, and garage doors, the interior doors stick out or do not fit the jambs, there are cracks in the interior sheet rock, or bulging floors, then the very first thing you should do is call up an engineer to identify how serious the problem is. The engineer will be able to identify what is causing the changes in the foundation. Now that you know what is causing the problem, you will need to call a foundation repair company to see what they can do to save the rest of the home. The two most proven ways of repairing the foundation is slabjacking and piering. To raise the foundation up to its original level, slabjacking involves pumping a cement grout under the failing concrete slab of foundation, this way a better sub-surface is formed for the foundation to settle on. However, if you are faced with more serious foundation problems then piering will need to be performed; hydraulic jacks are drilled into the ground below the foundation, and this is done until more solid foundation is reached. Once a solid level is reached the jacks are raised back to provide the support your house needs. Today, unlike a few years ago you do not need to move out and live in a motel until your foundation is fixed. With the recent advances in technology you can remain in your home. This will save you money, however you will need to put up with the noise of the work crew and the heavy machinery. Looking to sell you newly renovated Mississauga home, then call up the right
Mississauga Realtor
.
Preventative Measures
Consult with the engineer about what caused the problem in the first place. The most common reason for foundation problems is usually uneven distribution or moisture in the subsoil. This can be fixed by properly installing adequate gutters. The most important thing to remember is that if you spot any changes, regardless of how minor they may appear, you should not ignore it. The sooner you fix the problem the better off your home and your wallet will be.