The foundation of a building is integral to its stability, without it, the building would not be able to hold itself up. A poorly designed foundation, or one that is never maintained or repaired, can threaten the structural integrity of the building. Moreover, it threatens the lives of the occupants. Recognizing the importance of your foundation is the first step to ensuring the safety and stability of your home for may years to come.
Weight Support
When constructed properly, the foundation of your home will support the massive weight of its contents. This includes furniture, occupants, and the structural weight that the building materials impose. By building the foundation correctly, you are ensuring that there will be no load too large for the building to withstand. Our baseline expectation would be that our foundations can easily do this, but only a properly maintained foundation will continue to exceed your expectations over the time you spend in it.
Foundations and Natural Disasters
The first thoughts before a disaster are to gather emergency materials like food, water, and supplies, however, restoring your home’s foundation may not be something you readily think about. This process requires preparation that will not be possible to accomplish amidst the hectic life conditions caused by natural disasters. Consider having a professional check your foundation to ensure that it has not significantly shifted or sunk to the point that it would be dangerous. This is especially important if you notice any common signs of foundation damage, which we outline below. Even if your home has experienced several natural disasters and appears to be unaffected, these instances can gradually weaken your foundation.
Prevent Building Settling
Just as any other part of your home ages with time, so too will foundations. Foundations that have previously endured natural disasters, droughts, a large influx of water and other ground-altering conditions are more prone to sinking into the ground because as the moisture content resulting from these activities fluctuates, the foundation becomes less sturdy. To prevent this from happening altogether, take care to perform maintenance regularly.
Signs of Foundation Damage
Recognizing, assessing, and repairing a damaged or weathered foundation is a normal part of the home maintenance process. Continually neglecting a structurally compromised foundation will cause a myriad of problems within your home. These are some of the most common signs of a foundation in need of repair:
- Doors that will not open or close properly
- Windows that will not stay open
- Staircases and floors situated at an angle
- Sagging or uneven floors
- Cracked drywall
- Leakage in the basement
Conclusion
A properly maintained foundation is important for every structure, whether it be your home or business. Contact us today if you or your family notices any of the signs that your foundation is compromised; our certified professionals make these repairs easy and cost-effective!
