When a cracked foundation is suddenly noticed, the impulse of a homeowner is to have it fixed as the soonest possible time, believing that it could lead to something worse. They sit down and immediately make estimates for cracked foundation repair costs; canvass for possible contractors; choose the one with the best offer; and, proceed with the repair. This is the familiar process that people usually go through, and there is nothing wrong with the rationale behind it, but what they are missing is the most important aspect of repairing a crack in the foundation—finding out why it happens in the first place.
Indeed, before a person starts assessing the financial implications of such a project, it is important to know the possible causes of foundation cracks. This will save people from a lot of complications later on, and is a more preventive way of repairing damaged foundations. To avoid compromises in the repair, it is good to observe these two suggestions:
Common Cracked Foundation Causes
#1 – Check the Soil
Not many people are inclined to think that the soil on which their houses stand is as much a part of the foundation as the concrete slabs themselves. Many are unaware that the soil is usually a culprit in the occurrence of cracked foundation. One factor is the type of soil—clay, sand, mud, et al. Each has its own rate of depression settlement and amount of moisture, which should be taken into consideration in repairing the foundation.
The soil’s history of use should also be taken into account, because it may have changed the conditions underneath. For example, a site that used to be a cemetery will have decomposing elements into it, which may have bearing on the soil’s topography. Getting access to this kind of information should not be difficult, because most cities and states will provide it to the public free of charge. Visiting their websites can be the first step of research on this subject.
#2 – Check the Moisture Content
Besides the type of soil, depth moisture content can alter the soil. There is moisture that comes from above; there is also moisture down below, and the latter is hardly detectable. Managing water that passes through the soil through proper drainage or channels must be factored into the foundation repair, albeit an additional cost to the project.
Moisture, if unchecked, will change the attributes of the soil, which will eventually result to misalignment and stress at certain points in the structure. This, then, leads to cracked foundation, not just in the foundation, but also on the walls and floors. Such problems are immediately felt as soon as people return to their newly repaired homes with all their heavy stuffs placed inside, exerting pressure on the foundation.
Avoiding cracked foundation may be as simple as taking into consideration these two factors in the soil before attempting a remedy. Remember, it is important to find the root cause of a problem first, arriving at a wise evaluation of the situation, before spending time, energy, and resources for a solution that is truly preventive.
The soil should be part of the survey and merit the attention of both the homeowner and the contractor in correcting cracked foundation, especially when such issues can possibly compromise people’s lives in the event of natural disasters.
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