Are you a
Bellaire homeowner? You may not think about your home’s foundation very often, but it’s a very important component of your home. Regularly inspecting the foundation will ensure you can catch any small problems before they worsen, saving you thousands in
foundation repair costs later on.
Keep in mind, it’s normal for your home’s foundation to shift over the years. While some change is normal and acceptable, drastic shifting or settling over the short term can signal a problem. The best way to identify issues is through regular walkthroughs around and inside your house in Bellaire, a city located in southwest Harris County known as the “City of Homes.”
Foundation Check-Up Tips
1. Check the Grading Around Your Home
The soil around your home’s perimeter should gradually slope away from the home, which diverts water away from the foundation. If the grade is too flat, you will get flooding or ponding near your home. In that case, you will need to consider adjusting the drainage system outside your home.
2. Examine Foundation Walls
One of the biggest signs of foundation damage? Cracks in walls. Check for signs of settling and shifting, usually evidenced by long vertical cracks. Horizontal cracks typically indicate lateral settlement, which is a more serious problem. These are caused by water pressure from the outside of the walls, often leading to a failure in the foundation. Most foundations are designed to handle the pressure of water and soil, but added pressure from heavy rains or flooding can create large horizontal cracks which must be repaired ASAP.
3. Cracks in the Home
Settling and shifting in the home may also cause cracks to develop along door frames and walls. If you see cracks that appear suddenly out of nowhere, or notice cracks associated with malfunctioning doors and windows, this could spell a problem with your crawlspace or foundation.
4. Use a Laser Level
During construction, foundations are made to be perfectly level to ensure slow, even settling. But with foundation problems come uneven settling. Use a laser level in your basement or crawlspace to determine how level your home’s foundation really is. If you notice different points in your basement that are extremely uneven, you have a foundation issue.
5. Call an Expert
Knowing when to call an expert is key. The longer you wait to address a foundation problem, the more chance you have of it failing over time and costing you thousands in repairs. For more tips on checking your home’s foundation,
contact Aftermath Structural Repair in Houston at 281-231-8904. We work extensively in and around Bellaire and know the foundation issues common to this area. Give us a call today to schedule your inspection.
