There’s a common adage that if your foundation is bad, everything you place on top of it is at risk of collapsing. This aphorism is closely associated with the concept of a home. It doesn’t matter how elegant a building is; if its base is weak, then it’s a waste of time and money. The good news, against all odds, is that there are proven ways out in a situation like this, where the foundation is weak. Your investment in a home can still be saved. Yes, you can fix your foundation and be free from fear of the sudden collapse of probably your biggest investment.
In this post, you’ll learn how to determine whether your foundation is weak or not, the importance of getting a specialist to help you out, and some other FAQS (What happens if you don’t fix your foundation and if your homeowners’ insurance covers the repair).
In the meantime, here is how to identify weak or bad house foundations and several reasons why it’s critical to call in a foundation repair specialist as soon as possible. For example, foundation repair Ann Arbor can become imperative to recognize the signs due to the vast presence of foundation issues in this area of the country. This information is provided by our experts at Ann Arbor Foundation Repair Experts.
How To Identify Weak or Bad House Foundation?
It is crucial to understand the source of your issues to determine the best course of action. Climate, poor drainage systems, soil compaction, plumbing leaks, and other factors can contribute to house foundation issues. Hence, here are signs of a deteriorating foundation.
- Crack: If you’ve noticed cracks in the foundation, cracks in the walls and floors, and other types of fractures, you’re likely dealing with one of the many conditions that indicate a foundation problem. Because of a variety of factors, your structure’s foundation may move over time. Your foundation may move as a result, and cracks may become a significant issue. And this is frequently caused by soil contraction and expansion, as well as harsh weather.
- Settling/Sinking: Have your foundation checked if it looks to be sinking or has settlement difficulties. That’s because sinking is a common sign that you might have a foundation problem. You might discover structural imbalances, that is, a part of the house is higher or lower than the other. If that’s the situation, then it is likely that your foundation will need to be raised, which would involve the installation of foundation pilings.
- Upheaval: Moisture in the soil, as well as expansion and contraction, are key contributors. If your flat floor has shifted upward, you’re dealing with foundation upheaval. This upward shifting is one of the eight signs of a foundation problem, and it could mean your building is experiencing the direct opposite of “foundation settling.” Heaving mostly impacts the exterior of a slab foundation, although it can also affect the interior of your homes, such as hallways, doors, and other areas. Outside the garage, the walls are always pushed up.
- Gaps/Sticking Doors: Gaps around exterior window frames, door latching, and spaces around exterior doors are frequently noticeable when there is a problem with the foundation. In other words, if your doors are dragging, it’s usually a sign that there’s a problem with your structure.
Reasons Why It Is Important To Fix Weak Home Foundations Soon?
Suppose you’ve observed some of the signs mentioned above then, you must handle foundation repair as soon as possible. Minor foundation faults can potentially grow into a pricey project to deal with if ignored. Another important reason is that a major foundation problem can lead to sudden house collapse. Hence, it is highly recommended not to procrastinate to fix the foundation as soon as possible for safety reasons.
In addition, if you want to sell your property soon, a faulty foundation could be a deal-breaker. Issues that will prohibit them from moving in as soon as possible are avoided by prospective buyers. Perhaps they tend to bargain for a lower price to cover the cost of the repairs later, or they look for another house to buy.
Is There A Lasting Solution To House Foundation Problems?
Yes, fortunately, there are various solutions to repair a sagging house foundation nowadays. Concrete was once the only way to address foundation problems. Fortunately, depending on the structure and the ground it was built on, there are currently a variety of foundation repair solutions.
Getting an expert is important to offer the right guidance and thoroughly examine your options to find the best solution for your building.
The following are some of the likely solutions:
- Concrete: This was once the most popular way of fixing, and it still works today. The foundation is repaired with concrete slabs — ones that have been adjusted for use in repairs. It’s a long-lasting and effective method. Although, the method has since gone out of favor. It is due to the time and money required. It is necessary to install specialized tools, such as huge drilling rigs, which might be difficult in limited locations. It creates a lot of holes since the employees repairing have to dig several points. As a result, many individuals opt for less expensive and easier-to-install alternatives, although concrete is the most durable and effective option.
- Steel Piers: Steel piers have replaced concrete as the preferred technique of foundation restoration because they require less time to set up. Their use is very technical, although it necessitates less drilling and disruption than concrete pillars.
- Polyurethane Foam: One of the quickest ways to secure a foundation is with high-density polyurethane foam. The foam is pumped into a 6×6 ft grid, then laid down in the affected region, and allowed to dry. It is also a relatively low-cost form of foundation repair.
- Helical Piers: Helical piers are exceedingly versatile and are frequently used in both new and repair construction. They work like a big screw, burying themselves in the ground and anchoring whatever is on top. They’re more popular in smaller repairs, such as foundation and concrete repairs on the outside.
Note that there are other methods aside from those mentioned above.
Does Home Insurance Cover Foundation Repair?
Your foundation, like any other portion of your home, is protected by homeowners insurance. Although, many sources of foundation damage are excluded from conventional policies, unlike other elements of your home.
Any damage to your structure is covered unless your policy specifies otherwise. It might seem not very clear. But, consider two types of risk events: those that your homeowners’ insurance company covers and those that your insurance company does not. “It distinguishes between those it “accepts” and those it “rejects.” Tornadoes and fires that your company deems “acceptable” will be covered if they cause damage to your home. Your organization frequently rejects natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods because they are judged “too dangerous,” and as a result, you will not be held liable for any losses. For your foundation repairs to be insured, they must be caused by an occurrence that your employer ‘accepts.’ A fire can cause foundation damage, explosion, motor vehicle accident, a plane crash on your property, volcanic eruptions, water plumbing problems, ice/snowfall, and other occurrences covered by homes insurance.
According to HomeAdvisor, the average quote to repair a foundation ranges between $2,137 – $7,426.