What Can Cause A Home’s Foundation To Go Bad?
What Can Cause A Home’s Foundation or Structure To Go Bad?
The foundation of a home is a critical part of the home and it what keeps a home standing up. While factors outside of a homeowner’s control (such as severe storms, earthquakes, sink holes and more) can cause foundation problems there are things the homeowner can do to prevent foundation problems. Foundation problems can lead to uneven floors, broken windows, stuck doors and much more. Therefore, preventative maintenance to control what is in the homeowner’s control is important and this article looks at some of the common problems that can cause issues with the foundation and house structure.
Water Caused Foundation Damage
Water related issues are one of the biggest causes of home damage in general. Water and excess humidity can lead to mold, wood rot, and more which can make a house unlivable. Water when not properly diverted away from a home results in water entering collecting close to the basement walls. As the water builds up it creates inward pressure on the wall which can cause cracking and can even force walls to fall inward into the basement. Homes have gutters and downspouts to help properly divert water away from the foundation of the home. Gutters or downspouts that get clogged means water is not drained away properly which then results in the foundation issues noted above.
When water enters into the basement either through gaps in block foundation mortar or cracks in concrete and stone walls that water over time causes the gaps to get bigger...