Beware of These Causes of Foundation Cracking in Your Home
The thought of having a cracked foundation can scare most homeowners. Unfortunately, the truth is that a cracked foundation should get you a little worried about the stability of your structure. When the part that's holding your house firmly on the ground is not in excellent condition, this means that the entire structure will be affected. That's why you should always be on the lookout for problems that can jeopardize the stability of your house. In this light, you should be aware of the following issues which can also expose your building's foundation to damage.
Leaky gutters
Gutters are essential parts of a roof system that collects rainwater and redirect it away from the structure. They lead to downpipes which are installed at the four corners of the house to carry rainwater from the roof to the stormwater drainage system. However, if you have damaged or leaky gutters, they will let water flow near or on the soil that's on top of the foundation. When the soil gets wet and freezes, it puts pressure on the masonry used in constructing the basement. This causes foundation cracking and can also lead to leaks in your basement. Inspect your gutters regularly and repair any holes that could send water to your foundation.
Flooded basement
Various problems can lead to basement flooding. These include a broken plumbing pipe, floods due to blocked stormwater drainage systems during the rainy season, or as a result of leaking gutters. Any water in your basement is not good for your foundation as it can cause small cracks on the walls. These cracks will fill with water and grow bigger. This means that the basement walls can quickly develop huge cracks if you don't get rid of the water. You can prevent flooding by waterproofing your basement from the inside and outside. Also, invest in a sump pump to pump out water if there is a flood.
Overgrown tree roots
Do you have any landscaping near your house? If so you should watch out for their growth patterns. Large trees can have secondary roots that grow towards your foundation. These will cause pressure on the masonry as they try to grow through the walls, and the result will be the development of cracks on your foundation walls. Consider cutting down such trees or killing any roots that are threatening the stability of your structure.
Look out for these problems that can compromise your foundation and cost you thousands of dollars in foundation repair. Also, contact an expert for foundation inspections and repair services. For more information, contact a company like Jeffrey Hills and Associates.
