Have you noticed cracks forming in your home’s walls? Or maybe your doors and windows are sticking more than usual. These issues are usually a sign of structural problems.

Addressing them promptly can help mitigate more significant problems and reduce costs down the road. But what options are available? Contact Pros Foundation Repair Greensboro NC for professional help.

Foundation cracks come in many shapes and sizes, with each one revealing a piece of your home’s foundation story. From hairline to horizontal to jagged diagonal lines, deciphering these stories is the key to understanding your home’s stability.

Generally, you should not worry about small cracks in the foundation that are no more than 1/10 inch wide. These minor cracks are indicative of a normal amount of settling and do not pose any significant structural issues. However, homeowners should monitor these cracks to ensure they are not getting bigger over time, which could indicate a growing problem.

Wider cracks are more serious and can signal a structural collapse or foundation movement. They are often the result of soil movement and differential settlement, but can also indicate construction flaws, frost heave, hydrostatic pressure, and other problems.

If you notice these cracks, call a foundation repair professional immediately to have them evaluated. The longer you wait, the more severe and costly the damage will be.

Horizontal cracks, especially those that are wider at one end than the other, are indicative of a major shift in soil. These cracks can also be caused by excessive moisture and/or tree roots, and need to be addressed right away.

Vertical cracks that run from the top of a wall down to the floor are another sign of structural damage. These cracks typically occur in mortared block foundations and are usually due to soil movement or construction flaws.

Lastly, stair-step cracks are an indication of a more serious issue. These cracks are a common symptom of water infiltration and may require a drainage system improvement or a concrete slab replacement.

If you see any of these cracks, or other signs that your foundation is deteriorating such as sticking doors and windows, water spots on walls or ceilings, or bowing walls, contact us for a consultation. We will assess the condition of your foundation and recommend a course of action that will keep your home safe and stable for years to come. A few options include mudjacking, where high-density polyurethane foam is injected beneath your foundation to lift and level the slab, or the installation of new foundation piers.

Water Infiltration

As the ground absorbs moisture, it expands and wreaks havoc on concrete foundations. This is known as hydrostatic pressure, and when it builds up around a foundation, it can cause the concrete to crack and crumble. The resulting damage may be visible or invisible, and identifying the problem early will prevent what starts as minor cracks from turning into major structural problems.

If you notice any of the following signs, it’s likely that your foundation is at risk:

Mold and mildew: Both of these fungi thrive in moist environments, and their presence on or near a foundation could indicate excessive moisture. In addition, mold and mildew near or on the foundation can exacerbate existing cracks in the foundation.

Leaking plumbing: A leaking pipe in or near the foundation can saturate the soil around it, weakening the foundation and causing further damage.

Poor drainage: Water accumulating around a foundation can be caused by clogged gutters that let rainwater spill over them in sheets, downspouts that deposit water next to the foundation instead of away from it, or poor grading that encourages groundwater and surface runoff to pool near the foundation.

Water intrusion is a serious problem for any home, but it can be especially damaging to block or poured concrete foundations. It can cause the concrete to crack, heave and shift, and create other issues for your home’s structure and value.

Fortunately, there are many ways to combat water intrusion in your home’s foundation. These solutions generally fall into one of two categories: interior waterproofing methods and exterior approaches. Interior waterproofing involves repairing leaks and installing a sump pump to reroute the flow of water away from the foundation, while exterior waterproofing methods involve digging up the area around your home’s foundation and applying protective coatings or barriers to block water. Either method can be used to stop a foundation problem before it escalates, preventing the need for extensive and expensive repairs.

Sagging Floors

Sagging floors are a serious problem that requires professional intervention. They indicate a major issue with the structure of your home, and can lead to cupping and warping of wooden flooring, cracks in drywall, and other structural damage throughout the building. If you notice sagging floors in your home, it is essential to call a foundation repair company to diagnose the issue and implement effective solutions.

Sagging Floors in Crawl Space Foundations

The floors in crawl spaces and basements rely on a set of timber joists that run parallel to one another and rest on a series of beams that run perpendicular to the joists. Over time, the joists and beams can weaken due to numerous issues, including soil shifting, water damage, and subpar construction. These problems can cause the joists to sag, leaving the floors to sink or become uneven.

Several different methods are used to fix sagging floors, depending on the severity of the deflection and the cause of the problem. Minor problems can be corrected with shimming and leveling, while more significant sagging may require the addition of support beams.

If the sagging is caused by shifting soil, it will often be necessary to install a retaining wall or foundation underpinning to prevent further shifts and stabilize the foundation. This is also an ideal opportunity to make sure that the soil is properly compacted, and that any drainage issues are addressed.

Moisture and subflooring damage can also cause sagging floor problems. Water leaks and excess moisture in the crawl space can cause wood rot, which can weaken the joists and subflooring. This can lead to sagging floors, bouncy floors, and other structural issues that require repair.

Excessive moisture in the crawl space can also lead to mold growth, which can further deteriorate the structural integrity of the joists and subflooring. Proper ventilation and moisture control in the crawl space is important, along with basement waterproofing. These measures will prevent moisture from causing wood rot, mold growth, and other problems that can affect the joists and subflooring. NV Waterproofing provides expert crawl space repair and foundation underpinning services in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Northern Virginia.

Sagging Walls

When it comes to foundation problems, sagging walls are a clear warning sign. Unlike floor cracks, which are a result of normal settling and can be easily repaired with a concrete slab repair or foundation pier system, sagging walls are a sign that the structure is losing stability. Bowing walls require immediate professional attention and may become worse over time if left unattended.

Foundation problems can also show up in the form of sagging floors, uneven flooring, and gaps between wall and ceiling. These can be a sign that the foundation is shifting or settling, which can cause walls to separate from the floors and ceilings. This separation can lead to misaligned doors and windows, which can be difficult to open or close and allow drafts to enter the home.

Generally speaking, sagging floors are caused by the same factors as wall cracking, but on a larger scale. The weight of furnishings and people combined with weakened structural members can cause wood joists and beams to “sag.” A floor slope towards the center of the house is most often due to “sag” and is usually easy to resolve with support jacks. However, a floor slope towards the exterior walls or corners of the house is more likely due to settlement and is typically a much more serious and costly issue to correct.

One of the most common signs of sagging walls is the appearance of widening cracks. These cracks can indicate that the foundation is beginning to shift or settle in different directions at different times, causing the walls to separate from each other. Cracks that run diagonally and are wider than typical hairline cracks are especially important indicators of a weakened foundation.

The most common method for repairing sagging walls is to install wall anchors, which use the soils beyond the foundation to exert counterpressure on the failing walls. This solution is more effective than simple sagging floor jacking because it can be used to straighten sagging walls back to their original position over time. If you’re noticing that your foundation is sagging, contact Adelio’s immediately to find out what options are available for your situation.