For many homeowners, the thought of a damaged foundation causes serious anxiety. Despite their worries, most homeowners don’t take the necessary steps to ensure their foundation remains strong, and often they don’t recognize serious signs of trouble. Below are some common misconceptions that cause homeowners to misread or improperly repair damage to their home.
Often, a cracked wall could indicate a sinking foundation, in which case the wall must be steadied and supported from beneath with a device such as a helical anchor. Anchors are drilled deep into inactive soil and, when installed properly, take on the weight of the foundation.
Another cause of cracks is bowing walls, which can be due to the earth below the foundation shifting or to high pressure from soil pressing onto walls. Helical wall anchors can be used to fix this problem by holding walls stable against the shifting earth.
A lack of support is yet another possible cause of cracks. This could be the result of improper support from the foundation or weak support in holding up the roof.
The most important thing to remember is fixing the crack itself will not fix the root cause. If the crack appeared because of movement elsewhere in the home, the cause of that movement must be addressed.
While a lot of visible damage can be covered up as a DIY project, this is not the best solution. Most of the time it is not even the least expensive. DIY solutions are temporary and do nothing to correct the actual cause of the damage.
If a homeowner chooses to go ahead with a DIY solution, the problem will continue to worsen, and eventually it will be impossible to cover up the damage. At this point, the cost of repairs will be much higher than it could have been. Inspectors or potential buyers could easily become aware of the issue, which would be a major concern.
Repairs might be an unexpected cost, but they certainly will be more expensive if they remain unaddressed. If you schedule a professional to examine the damage, they can explain the cause and appropriate methods of repair. Often, repairs are relatively inexpensive and non-invasive.
Cracks that are not caused by something severe such as a sinking foundation, for example, can be fixed by reinforcement. Carbon fiber systems work to hold the wall steady and protect it from any further damage. An injection system can be used to fill and waterproof the crack.
Rarely is rebuilding a foundation necessary. If problems go unresolved, a new foundation will succumb to the same issues as the old one.
Always take into account a professional’s recommendation to help you make the right decision. If you have cracks you would like inspected, call Intech Anchoring to have a certified contractor inspect the damage and give you a free price quote for repairs. You can contact Intech Anchoring today by calling 800-223-7015.
Tim is the President of Intech Anchoring and has 25 years of experience in the Civil Engineering and Geostructural Industry. Tim has developed extensive industry knowledge by working to support the needs of specialty contractors at each and every business level. Tim’s diverse industry background has given him exposure to a wide variety civil construction projects, ranging from the simplest residential applications to the most complex commercial and industrial projects. Coupled with a highly skilled and educated team, Tim focuses on providing the highest quality products and solutions to Intech Anchoring’s customers in order to consistently exceed expectations.