From the Ground Up

Among the many things that affect us on a daily basis that most of us don’t even thing about is the structure of our homes. We just take it for granted that our roofs won’t leak, our bathrooms won’t flood and our foundations won’t crumble. Sadly, that’s not always the case. If left in a state of disrepair, our roofs certainly will leak. Pipes left clogged can absolutely flood our bathrooms. Foundations might crumble if we ignore problems that cause structural weakening or outright damage. How about those foundations, though? What kind of trouble can we get in if we ignore the very structure on which our homes are built?

Symptoms

Many times, foundational cracks are visible. When you can see them, you know they need repair. Sometimes, though, the damage may not be something you can see because they’re hidden underground or behind fascia. In that case, you’ll need to pay attention to other clues. According to Edens Structural Tulsa, OK, if you have cracks in your foundation, you may also experience a “sinking” feeling when walking around your home. You may be tempted to ignore that. Don’t. An experienced foundational repair company will be able to inspect for weaknesses or outright damage and save you from having your foundation crumble underneath you.

How Damage Occurs

Your foundation will have to stand up to a certain amount of stress that you can’t control. The soil composition in your area can contribute to that stress. Heavy clay soils push against foundations more than lighter sandy soils. How much rain you receive can strain your foundation, as can the freezing and thawing that occurs seasonally. You can reduce the potential from damage by ensuring you have good drainage around your home, removing trees whose roots might dig into the walls and fixing any plumbing issues you find.

Ignoring your home’s foundation can lead to costly repairs.