Does My Foundation Need Repair?

Foundation problems can become extremely complex and expensive to repair if left unaddressed for too long. Therefore, it’s important for building owners to regularly inspect their foundation and make sure it’s in good condition. This will allow you to pinpoint small vulnerabilities and issues before they turn into larger, more significant problems that require a residential concrete contractor in Marinette County, WI to address.

Here are a few of the most common signs that could indicate your foundation needs some repair work:

• Cracks: Have you noticed cracks or gaps in the foundation, or on the brick exterior of your home? This could be a sign of foundation problems. Over time, the structure of your building might move around a bit due to shifting in the foundation, in part due to expanding and contracting soils and years of inclement weather. You can always expect some slight sinking and cracking in the first several years after construction. However, continued movement can be severely problematic and may necessitate some significant remedial work.
• Upheaval: Do you have a slab foundation that’s started moving in an upward direction? This is indicative of foundation upheaval, which is something of the opposite of a settling foundation. While it will mostly affect the perimeter of the slab foundation, it can, in some cases, affect the interior of your home, including doorways, hallways and exterior walls. This is most commonly a result of moisture—heavy rains and plumbing leaks can trap moisture under the slab, and the increased weight of the soil may push it upwards.
• Problems with doors: If you have sticky doors or issues getting your doors to open or close properly, this is usually indicative of a foundation problem. With interior doors, this usually means dragging at the top, and exterior doors are more likely to drag at the threshold or hang from the top and look uneven. You might no longer be able to use French doors that meet in the middle.
• Sagging floors: Do you have floors in your home that appear to be uneven or sagging? This could be due to foundation problems. When problems with the foundation start to impact beams and piers, this could result in sagging. In severe circumstances, the sagging could be by as much as an inch and a half to two inches, which could be dangerous for young children or people with physical impairments.
• Problems with windows: Have you noticed gaps around exterior window frames, or spaces around exterior doors? Maybe the doors no longer latch properly, or you have a hard time getting windows to open or shut correctly. This could be due to foundational issues.
• Counters and cabinets separating: Sometimes, foundation problems can result in cabinets or countertops starting to tilt and pull away from the wall. Small gaps can turn into large, problematic cracks and gaps if you do not take appropriate action.

A contractor specializing in residential concrete in Marinette County, WI will be able to analyze your foundation and determine the source of the problem, as well as the best solution. Contact Kwiatkowski Construction Co., Inc. today to arrange an appointment.

Categorised in: Foundation Repairs

This post was written by Writer