Are you the proud owner of a house, office, or other building? If so, it is in your best interest to keep an eye on the state of your foundation. Whether your building is only a few years old, or more than a decade, it’s never too early to keep an eye open here and there for potential foundation repair. The foundation repair of any building is the platform on which the entire structure rests, and the problem won’t go away on its own. To avoid accumulating even more damage, watch for these telltale signs of trouble:
Cracking Floor Tiles
If you find long, winding cracks running along the tile or cement work of your floors, pay very close attention. This is one of the most obvious signs that your foundation is giving way to the excessive weight bearing down on it. Even the smallest cracks should be tended to as soon as possible. While small, simple cracks may be filled or sealed by the building’s owner, deeper or longer cracks should be tended to by a trained professional.
Separation of Doors or Windows
If you notice that the doors and windows in your house are beginning to detach from the walls into which they are placed, your foundation may very well be compromised. Don’t be fooled into thinking that a simple swap job will fix the issue. You’ll need to get to the source of the problem – the foundation – if you don’t want to deal with the same situation in another few weeks. By attempting to swap out the door or window you may end up doing more harm than good.
Walls Separating from House
It sounds strange, but the walls of your home very well may be trying to escape. Take a look at the junction points (corners) of your structure while outside and see if there are any gaps. Gaps can be obvious, but tiny spaces running along the entire joining point are harbingers for future damage. This uneven pattern is due to a failing foundation, and should be tended to as soon as possible.
Displaced Molding
The molding around your house serves an important purpose, but it can also help you notice a faulty foundation. Much like the corners of a building, if the molding appears to be separating or cracking there is a big issue at work. Much like tiles, molding with only small cracks in it may be repaired easily enough. For more complex damage, however, rely on a trained professional.
Uneven Floors
Another obvious way of catching a declining foundation is sloping floors. When a surface begins sliding downward, the support under that surface is clearly suspect. Prolonged exposure to the weight of an entire house will only lead to further damage down the line.
When it comes to concrete leveling, there is a ton of misinformation out there. It is significant for homeowners to understand concrete leveling methods – it can save a lot of time and money.
If you recognize any of these issues in your own building, act fast! Professional Florida foundation repair companies are eager to help you before it’s too late! Putting a broken foundation off until later might mean dealing with a huge decrease in the property value of your home or business, so contact your local experts today!
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Carolyn T. is a blogger with an interest in home design and improvement