A building’s structural integrity matters a lot because it determines the building’s safety, durability, stability, operational/maintenance costs, value, and compliance with building codes, among other things. As a result, putting measures in place to ensure structural integrity is a necessity.
Against this backdrop, several areas need attention. However, some are more important for ensuring a building’s structural integrity than others. One important example is the building’s foundation. This is because it plays the key role of ensuring proper weight transfer to the ground.
As a direct impact of natural degradation, there would be times when foundation and concrete repairs will become necessary. Although they do not necessarily mean the same thing, they are closely related. Builders typically use concrete to make foundations, making concrete repairs necessary as part of foundation repairs.
Warning Signs That Your Foundation & Concrete Need Repairs
It is best if foundation and concrete repairs are done as proactive measures. Below we look at some warning signs that may be indicators that a building’s foundation and concrete need repairs. These signs include:
Cracks In Concrete Surfaces
There is usually nothing to worry about with little hairline cracks on concrete surfaces as they are often nothing more than cosmetic issues caused by low stress/concrete shrinkage. However, there is cause for concern when they are major or when what used to be little cracks begin to widen.
Crack patterns also say a lot about what is wrong. For example, horizontal cracks could be because the foundation is under immense pressure, which could be caused by water intrusion and soil expansion, among other things. Stair-step cracks on the other hand, especially on brick/masonry walls, could be revealing something even more concerning – a foundational shift.
Furthermore, you should also be mindful of the part of the building where the cracks are found. For example, foundational movement can be responsible for cracks in patios, basement floors, and even driveways.
Uneven/Sloping Floors
Uneven or sloping floors are one of the clearest signs of shifting foundations. As a result, you should not take them lightly.
Contacting professionals that carry out foundation and concrete repairs for inspection is necessary. You can see foundationrepairgrandjunctionco.com for more on this. A thorough inspection by these professionals can help identify problems at an early stage, preventing future disasters.
Furthermore, it is important to be very observant, and there are tips to help ensure this. Ball placement in areas suspected to be sloppy is one such. There is nothing to worry about if the ball remains stationary but if it constantly rolls in a certain direction, there could be issues down below.
Gaps between Walls, Floors, & Ceilings
You should observe for gaps between walls and floors, as well as gaps between walls and ceilings. The appearance of gaps in these cross-sections, especially when they begin to widen, could suggest that there is something wrong with the foundation.
There are two possibilities if this is the case. Firstly, it could be that the foundation is sinking and doing so unevenly. The second possibility is foundation movement.
Both require repairs, which is why you should contact professionals in this line of work. Doing this helps prevent structural instability and the various adverse possibilities that come with it.
Chimney Pulling Away From The House
Chimneys are heavy structures and it takes a good foundation to keep them together. As a result, keeping an eye on these parts of the home from the exterior and interior can help reveal the state of this part of the building.
For example, the sight of a tilting chimney should not be taken lightly as it could be because the foundation is compromised. Soil settlement, for instance, can be responsible for this.
Aside from this, there are other possible reasons for a tilting chimney. It could be a result of poor construction, tree root growth close to the chimney, or weather-related damage, among other possibilities. As a result, experts highly recommend having specialists carry out a proper inspection.
Water Pooling Around A Building’s Foundation
Builders design foundations to hold the building together, which implies that this part of the building can take quite a lot. However, certain things are capable of stretching it beyond its capacity. Examples include water management and poor drainage.
For instance, an enormous water pool around the building’s perimeters caused by a heavy downpour can lead to erosion. This can eventually lead to structural instability as the soil washes away.
For starters, ensuring proper drainage and water management is crucial. Secondly, contact professionals if you have water pools anywhere near your building’s perimeters, especially after a heavy downpour.
Take this even more seriously if you notice moisture buildup in your building’s crawl spaces and basements. You can click here to find out more about moisture problems in basements and crawl spaces – causes and solutions.
Conclusion
There are some other signs that may show a need for foundation and concrete repairs. However, the five (5) signs discussed here are quite common and there is a need to pay serious attention to them.
The information we’ve shared here is meant to help us mitigate future disasters. Get reputable and certified professionals to handle this repair for you. This should begin a thorough inspection by professionals. This is the only way to ensure that the repairs are done perfectly.
