Problems with your house’s foundations certainly do not have an easy solution. We advise you on how to spot that there could be an issue and what to do about it.
Spotting the Signs
There are four main things that could warn you that your home’s foundations may be in need of some attention, so be certain to look out for the following:- When a door becomes more challenging to shut or stops latching.
- When walls begin to show signs of cracking, particularly above doorways and windows, or where the ceiling and wall meet.
- When windows start to become difficult to open and close completely or stick.
- When cracks begin to form in ceramic tiles, which have been laid over concrete flooring.
What to do
The next step would be to evaluate the outside of your property. Have a look to see if your foundations are still straight. A bulge or curve can indicate movement in the foundations and this must be seen by an expert to assess what the next necessary steps are. A structural engineer will be able to determine the impact of the cracks and the sum of money it will cost to rectify. For some, this will be covered under your buildings insurance. However, for others, it may prove too costly to fix. Consider approaching a company who proclaim “we buy houses” in this sort of situation and you may find this a more cost effective move to make.Prevention
Once you have solved your current problem, it is worth considering how to prevent such issues occurring again in the future. Follow these steps to assist:- Follow the advice you are given. Once your foundations’ problems have been rectified, it really is worth listening to the words of wisdom your workers give you. They know what they are talking about. Ignoring it could cause you even more difficulties and thus expense in the future, particularly regarding your mortgage.
- Ensure that water is drained away from the house. Excessive amounts of water can cause soil to expand and thus put pressure on the foundations of your property. Make sure you have sufficient guttering and that the downspout leads to a water butt or other vessel for water collection.
- Avoid planting trees and shrubs too close to your property as their roots can impact your foundations. During the summer months, especially, when there are droughts, the roots battle for water thus causing potentially major problems for you. It is wise to choose positions as far away from your house as possible, particularly for trees which are likely to grow very tall and/or wide.
If cracks do begin to appear in your foundations, ensure that you have them fixed immediately. As soon as you spot them, seek expert advice on what to do next.
