When you have a foundation problem, there are many questions…Foundation cracks, sticking doors, bowing floor, plumbing leak? What’s going on with my foundation and the soil under my home? Can I wait for foundation crack repairs? What are the foundation repair methods? What foundation repair process to I need? How long will it take, and how will it disrupt my life? What about my home’s value?
Inside of House
Crawlspace/Basement
Garage
Outside of House
Evaporation and Drought
Not enough moisture in the soil can cause foundation cracks. When moisture is drawn from the soil and it becomes desiccated, as in extended periods of drought and other hot and dry conditions, the soil shrinks. This moisture imbalance can cause soils to pull away from the foundation, foundation walls to shift outward and footings to settle. Settlement then causes cracks in concrete and drywall throughout the structure.
Transpiration
Plants and tree roots around or under structures can dehydrate the soil. This will cause soil shrinkage and foundation settlement.
Poor Soil Condition
Poor soils, decomposition of organic material, the breakdown of debris and environmental impacts on loose soils may cause expansion and/or contraction of the soil with resulting foundation failure.
Poor Building Site Preparation
The frequent practice of “cut and fill” involves removal of the soil from part of the lot then stacking it in another. The soil should have proper soil stabilization before construction starts, but it most cases that is not done. The improperly compacted soil beneath the foundation may cause unexpected movement.
Poor Foundation Construction
Many general contractors are not foundation experts. Either to shave costs or due to lack of knowledge, they may use insufficient steel in the concrete. That lack of foundation strength could contribute to future foundation movement.
Concrete Shrinkage
Since water is used to mix concrete, the concrete expands when wet and then contracts when it dries. The actual drying process for a specific concrete pour is affected by such factors as the type of aggregate and mix of concrete, weather and humidity, among others. Also, if the concrete foundation is poured in batches hardening at different times, the foundation is no longer monolithic, and a cold joint forms. Water then can seep through the joint and cause cracking.
Plumbing Leaks
Leaky plumbing results in moisture build-up that is often a major contributor to foundation problems.
Drainage Problems – Soil Saturation
Improper grading, bad gutters, higher neighboring elevations, super storms and other problems can cause excessive moisture build-up near your foundation, resulting in soil saturation problems. This could erode or consolidate the soils underneath your home, and cause shrinking and swelling of the soils, especially in clay soils. Many foundations are not built to withstand that extra pressure as the soils around the base of your foundation expand, forcing walls inward.
The resulting shifts or settlement of your structure will damage your foundation. As footings that support your structure then “settle” into the saturated soils, that causes walls to crack. If you have a basement, the excessive pressure exerted against from moisture-laden, expanded soil can then force your walls inward, first showing up as diagonal cracks coming off corners. Your warning signs of these soil saturation related problems will be such things as visible cracks in concrete, gaps in moldings and door, sticking windows and more.
If you need Orlando Florida foundation repair or sinkhole repair, you can turn to Foundation Services of Central Florida for excellent results. We are the leading repair company in the area that can provide you with highly effective results. You can learn more about the services available by our skilled repair crew by calling the office today. Because these issues can become more pronounced over time, it is best to contact our specialists at Foundation Services of Central Florida at the first sign of a foundation issue with your home.
In the Orlando area Call toll-free 866-622-3723
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“Although other companies made proposals, we kept reflecting on how knowledgeable, professional, and efficient Robert was. Never-the-less, we spent weeks researching the grouting process, the standards of the industry, and contacting references provided before entrusting the remediation of our home to Foundation Services. …We were in awe of how smoothly the drilling and grout injection process went…at the conclusion of the job, the home site looked exactly as it did at the job’s inception.”
