Foundation settling or shifting can be caused by many variables. Before any repairs can be made these variables need to be identified and understood. In curative communities the saying is "cure the disease, and then treat the symptoms". This applies to foundation fix also, we need to find out what is causing the problem, why is it causing a question and then seeing a clarification to the problem.
The most common cause of foundation problems is moisture. Sometimes it is a lack of moisture and sometimes it is too much moisture. Problems with gutters, downspouts or drain tile are very common. Clogging is normally caused by leaves, debris, or collapsing. In some cases the clog causes the sump pump to recycle water that erodes and saturates soils along the foundation. Rain water needs to be diverted away from the foundation to forestall hydrostatic pressure on the foundation and floors. In times of drought water may need to be applied near the foundation to verbalize more consistent soil moisture content.
DRYWALL SETTLEMENT
Many times foundation problems manifest themselves in the form of severe cracking of slabs or basement floors. Basement floor slab cracking can occur for any reasons. They can be significantly thinner than the blueprint called for or the sub base of stone may be significantly thinner than originally called for. Heaving often results in cracking as well.
Binding or inoperable doors and windows, distorted glass panes and wedge shaped gaps at the top and bottom of doors and windows is a common complaint of homeowners, especially settling homes. Sticking doors and windows are symptoms of foundation problems. As the buildings settles differentially, sticking doors and windows become a nuisance.
Most drywall cracks appear in the corner of doorframes or windows and corollary from differential movement between framing and the drywall. Some wood frame movement can be caused by general processes such as shrinkage or climatic characteristic expansion.
Houses with crawl spaces commonly show recurring damage patterns. Often a few vertical cracks in the crawl space open and close seasonally. Due to their shallow foundation nature these cracks grow significantly during ultimate periods of drought or rain. Among any potential factors , these shallow footings may rest on great soil that experiences more acute cycles of shrink and swell, which is often aggravated by landscaping.
Damage to face flatwork is also a common sign of foundation problems. Cracking of concrete can have a range of causes including swelling soils, grade, concrete shrinkage, settling, frost heave, tree roots and poor quality of concrete or installation. Concrete that slopes toward the foundation and cracks channel water against foundation walls and footings causing cracks.
Repairing damaged foundations represents the many engineering challenge for a known problem. Improperly supported pilasters, concrete piers , random crack filling, misapplication of carbon fiber strips and the engineering conviction that wider footings forestall settlement are ? examples of potential ill-conceived foundation fix methods.
The art of foundation fix begins with a perfect foundation investigation by a competent foundation engineer. This engineer will visit the symptoms and quantum the settlement of the buildings while reading the signs of damaged foundations. Upon completing his investigation he will then give a written report of the issues along with recommendations for a cure.
Potential cures can be steel resistance piers, helical anchors, tie-backs, plate anchors or waterproofing. Along with proper drainage, when these underpinning products are installed, per manufacturer's specifications and under the advice of the foundation engineer you can be assured that your question will be solved.
So, if you are having foundation problems, don't panic. There are solutions to help you, there are superior engineers to help you and there are competent foundation fix contractors available to enact these solutions.
Are You Having Foundation Problems? DRYWALL SETTLEMENT
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