When your home’s foundation is damaged, it can lead to a variety of problems. Addressing them promptly can save you money, prevent further damage to your home and keep your family safe.

The first step is a thorough inspection by Foundation Repair Greensboro NC Specialist. They will assess the damage and recommend a solution.

Foundation cracks are a sign that the soil beneath your home is shifting. While many cracks are simply cosmetic and pose no threat to the structure, some are a warning signal of serious problems with your foundation that require immediate attention. Some types of cracks are more serious than others, and some can lead to leaky walls or floors, uneven or sloping floors, sagging or leaning chimneys, cracked or shattered windows and doors, and other structural issues that threaten the safety of your family and your home’s value.

Hairline cracks less than 1/8 inch wide are usually the result of the natural curing and settling of concrete slabs and pose no structural threat. Cracks that form as a result of a shift in the soil are more serious and often accompanied by other signs of foundation failure, such as bowing or leaning walls, cracks in interior and exterior walls, or crumbling or spalling bricks.

If a crack is wider than 1/8 inch or grows in size over time, it’s best to have a professional inspect and repair it right away. Structural cracks may be caused by expansive soil, voids under the foundation, or poor construction where the supporting soil wasn’t properly compacted before the building was poured. Cracks that are accompanied by other signs of structural damage, such as bowed walls or tilting chimneys, should also be professionally inspected by a qualified technician or structural engineer as soon as possible.

Non-structural cracks should be monitored for growth and can often be repaired with a simple caulking application. Use polyurethane, silicone or latex concrete caulk to fill the crack and ensure it’s sealed and protected from moisture and the elements.

If a crack is actively seeping water, it’s important to seal the crack and divert the water. Water leaks can cause mold and mildew, weaken the foundation, and lead to other structural problems that can be expensive to repair. If you have a newer home, check with the builder and make sure you’re covered under warranty. If not, you’ll need to investigate financing options such as home equity loans, personal loans or contractor financing plans.

Leaking Pipes

Pipe leaks can cause structural damage to a building’s foundation as well as the plumbing inside. The leaking water can saturate the soil around the foundation and create issues with uneven settling and shifting of the foundation. It can also directly weaken the structure by causing concrete spalling and reducing its strength. For this reason, it’s important to regularly inspect your property for leaking pipes. Signs of leaking pipes include unexplained increases in water bills, sagging floors, a damp smell and discolouration of walls.

Most modern homes and commercial buildings have copper piping in their foundations. While this material is durable and long-lasting, it can corrode over time due to environmental factors like the presence of other metals in the surrounding soil. This causes pinhole leaks in the pipe and a general deterioration of the pipe itself. If you suspect that you have a copper leak in your foundation, you should have it checked by a professional as soon as possible.

Alternatively, a leak in the sewer line can cause heaving, which is when the slab swells enough to lift the structure off of its foundation. This is often caused by excessive rainfall and/or improper drainage, but it can also be the result of old clay pipes that are in need of replacement. In these cases, a qualified plumber will be able to assess the issue and determine whether or not the sewer line needs to be replaced entirely.

Leaking pipes in the supply line can be a bit more difficult to spot, as these pipes are usually hidden behind walls or underneath foundation slabs. Builders and architects hide these pipes to improve the interior design of a building, but they can also be hard to access if something goes wrong. In these cases, a plumber will need to tunnel under the building in order to locate and repair the problem. Depending on the extent of the damage, this may involve jackhammering through concrete and cutting out the affected section of the pipe. Afterwards, a plumber can either replace the pipe completely or apply a resin-coated lining to protect the rest of the system.

Cracked Walls

A foundation’s support system is the backbone of your home, so any cracking can be concerning. However, not all cracks require immediate attention or repair. Understanding the different types of foundation wall cracks and their severity will help you decide whether or not it’s time to call in a professional.

Hairline cracks are usually less than 1/8 inch wide and are the result of natural shrinkage as concrete sets up. These cracks don’t necessarily signal structural weakness, but they should be watched to make sure they don’t get wider over time. Thrasher tip: To check a hairline crack, place a nickel in it to see if it fits snugly. If it does, the crack isn’t serious.

Vertical and diagonal cracks are also common, but they don’t always mean trouble. These types of cracks often signify that the soil is shifting and putting pressure on the foundation. However, they can be caused by a variety of issues, including poor drainage, differential settlement, frost heave, and soil expansion and contraction.

If you have these cracks, it’s important to seal them to prevent water and moisture from entering the basement or crawl space. This will lower the risk of mold and mildew, which can be extremely costly to remove and fix.

Cracks that are wider than a hairline can be filled with urethane caulk, which is flexible and expands when it comes in contact with water. It’s important to sand the surface of the crack and wipe it down to remove any dust or debris that could prevent the caulk from bonding with the concrete. It’s also important to wear work gloves when applying the caulk.

If a crack isn’t filling with urethane, or it’s accompanied by a bulging wall, it’s time to call in a pro. Bulging walls are a sign of sideways pressure on the foundation and can lead to more significant problems if left untreated. If you notice a bulging wall, place a straightedge, like a 6-foot level, along the crack to see if it moves. If it does, that suggests ongoing stress and it’s time to call a foundation specialist.

Uneven Floors

Uneven floors are often a first sign that a house needs foundation repair. They can also become a trip hazard, especially in homes with stairs or those who have mobility issues. In some cases, they may even be unsafe to live in. Uneven floors can lead to structural problems if left unchecked and require extensive repairs, so homeowners should contact a professional for an inspection as soon as they notice them.

A common cause of uneven floors is soil movement. Building contractors must compact the soil beneath the foundation before construction, but if the dirt underneath the home shifts or moves over time, it can affect the stability of the entire structure. This can cause the foundation to shift and settle, which in turn causes floor sagging or tilting.

Another common cause of uneven floors is moisture infiltration. If there is a lot of water underneath or near the foundation, it can warp and weaken materials like wood beams and subflooring. This can also cause rot and leaks, which further destabilize the foundation and create uneven floors. In addition to proper drainage and addressing leaks promptly, regular crawl space inspections and foundation waterproofing can prevent moisture damage.

Uneven floors may also be caused by poor design or construction. If the foundation was constructed on poorly compacted soil or if the supporting beams were cut into to run pipes, they may be weakened and sag over time. Additionally, if the floor joists aren’t properly supported by the foundation, they may shift and lead to uneven floors.

In some cases, uneven floors are a sign of a major problem such as differential settlement, which requires foundation reinforcement. If the issue is not fixed, it could lead to more severe structural damage and cost a homeowner more money in the long run. Differential settlement can be corrected with underpinning, which involves using push, helical, or slab piers to extend the foundation onto load-bearing soil. During the process, a technician can evaluate the state of the foundation and determine the best course of action for repair.