Foundation Repair – What to Look For and What Repairs You Need
Unlimited Drilling: Foundation issues can be a nightmare, but knowing what to look for and what repairs you need can help keep you from spending money on unnecessary work.
Your home’s foundation is one of the most important parts of your house, and it needs to be strong. When problems arise, you need to get them fixed as soon as possible.
Cracks
In San Diego, the proximity to the ocean and the greater humidity create a fluid soil condition that makes foundation cracking and instability more common. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including improper drainage around the foundation, settling in the soils beneath your home, or even earthquake damage.
In these cases, foundation repair is necessary to ensure the safety and stability of your home. The team at Sure Safe offers the only patented repair method that conforms to the soil around your foundation, making it strong again without the need to lift the entire home or perform major construction.
Cracks in a concrete foundation, stucco exterior, or drywall/plaster interior finish are usually signs of a foundation that is settling or moving. Doors and windows that stick or are difficult to open/close, uneven floors, or visible cracks in the concrete are also common signs of a foundation issue that needs to be addressed.
Sagging
When a home’s foundation sags, it can cause major problems. This can happen in any home, but it is most common in older homes.
Sagging can be caused by many things such as a heavy appliance, moisture or just the floor boards wearing down. It is important to have the issue fixed before it becomes severe.
One way to fix sagging is with mudjacking. This is done by injecting a slurry of sand, soil, water and cement under the sagging slab.
Another option is polyurethane injection. This method gets the job done much quicker, more efficiently and cleanly than mudjacking.
A common problem in San Diego is sagging and sinking foundations. This can be a result of poor drainage, expansive soils and water-greedy tree roots.
Seismic Damage
Seismic damage can happen when tectonic forces cause a zone of the Earth’s surface to shift or rupture. This can release strain energy stored on either side of the fault and affect the structure below.
In California, the San Andreas fault is one of the most common sources of earthquakes. This means that the region is prone to both mild and severe earthquakes.
Even though moderate earthquakes – from 1-4 on the Richter scale – are much more common than major ones, they can still cause significant foundation damage.
A house’s foundation is the most vulnerable part of its structure, so repairing it in advance of an earthquake is important. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to strengthen your foundation.
For example, if your home is built on a raised foundation, such as some older houses in San Diego, you may need to consider a seismic retrofit. This can improve the connection between your home’s foundation and its wooden frame and lessen the risk of damage from an earthquake.
Water Damage
Water damage is a serious issue that can affect your San Diego home and property in a number of ways. It can lead to mold, mildew, structural damage, and a whole host of other issues that can be costly to repair.
The most obvious way to keep water away from your foundation is by properly installing a rain gutter system and making sure the roof is in good condition. But even if you don’t have the right drainage system in place, rainwater is still capable of doing damage to your home and foundation.
The most important thing to do is make sure your foundation is firmly rooted in the ground. The best way to ensure that is to have a professional perform a full inspection of your home and property. They will check for signs of cracks, sagging, and other signs of water damage in your San Diego area home or business. If they determine that you have foundation problems, they will recommend a variety of different solutions to help restore the integrity of your home’s structure.