Foundation is what keeps things together. It not only holds up the building but also supports the major structural components of your house. Everything, from the floor joints to the main beams, is connected to your foundation. Your foundation is what keeps your home functioning on a structural level. That is why when something is wrong with your foundation, the impact is felt around your house. Even a tiny crack in the foundation walls can have significant repercussions around your home. Damage to your foundation always leads to bigger issues, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Here are seven of them:
Structural Damage: You probably don’t need reminding that your foundation is what’s holding your entire house in one piece. When the foundation is damaged, it kick-starts a domino effect around your home that severely damages the whole structure. Walls, floors, ceilings, windows, and door frames, the extent of the damage differs from house to house. If allowed to progress, there is no telling how far the damage will extend.
Water problems: Water problems are not just the first signs of a faulty foundation but are also the end results. When cracks appear on foundation slabs, they let in underground water into your basement. If your basement doubles down as a storage room or a living space, your furniture is in all kinds of trouble. Even if it doesn’t, water in the basement leads to mold growth and, if left unchecked, the mold can spread to your entire house. Mold growth not only deteriorates your quality of life but also harms human health.
Plumbing problems: When it rains, it pours. A damaged foundation doesn’t stop with a few cracks and crevices. When foundation walls are damaged, they expose the water pipes right below the foundation. This leaves them vulnerable to damage significantly since the subsoil expands and contracts which drop and dislocates the foundation slabs. Since under-slab pipes are difficult to access, the repair isn’t always easy. But it’s not just the under-slab pipes you need to worry about. Structural damages can also severely damage plumbing pipes around your house.
Bugs Infestation: Underground is where all the bugs are at. When a crack appears in your foundation, everything from roaches to mice enters your house through the cracks. And since your basement is already damp from the water, it offers a hospitable environment for the bugs. Sooner or later, the bugs will migrate to upper levels, and there is little you can do about it. In addition to foundation repair costs, you will also have to incur massive charges for exterminating the bugs.
Mold and Mildew Infestation: If you think insects love damp and dark environments the most, wait until you meet mold and mildew. Subterranean conditions are perfect for mold and mildew infestation. The infestation not only causes ever-lasting damage to your physical structure but can also negatively impact your health. Reports have shown that specific mold and mildew species let off spores, which can cause allergies and leave your entire family coughing and wheezing.
Damage to aesthetic value: When left alone, foundation problems accumulate over time. And not only do you end up having to spend massive amounts on reconstruction, but you also are never likely to make that money back. Foundation problems are never a good sign, especially if you are looking to sell your home. Buyers are less likely to buy a house with a past record of foundation problems. And for all the good reasons. Foundation problems are frowned upon, and it is always better to get them sorted as soon as possible.
Increasing utility bills: Another result of foundation problems that most people don’t consider is increased utility bills. A leaky foundation lets water into your basement and makes it damp. As a result, your heating system needs to make more effort to maintain the temperature around your house. It increases the utility bills, but the problems don’t stop there. As things worsen, your heating system overexerts itself and can be permanently damaged. This leaves you with a severely damaged foundation and a heating system that needs to be replaced. The cost burden is very likely to exceed your budget.
Foundation problems are always a bad sign, which is why they need to be repaired as soon as possible. When treated early, it is possible to DIY a few solutions which can save you hundreds of dollars on repairs. On the other hand, massive foundation problems can be hard to repair, and it can be equally hard to find a foundation repair company willing to take on the project. This is why leaving foundation problems as they are is never a good idea. Leave it to worse, and you might end up with a housing crisis on your hands.
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