Does rainwater have the potential to harm a house’s foundation? This is a question that many homeowners ask. The truth is that if water isn’t diverted from a building, it can ruin the foundation. A building’s foundation may experience a number of complications due to water logging over time.
Surface or subsurface water may collect beneath a home’s foundation due to drainage problems. This may result in issues such as cracks or settling. Heaving is another problem that could occur frequently. This happens when the clay soils swell and push a foundation upward. Ignoring these problems would only worsen them over time and eventually require more extensive foundation repairs.
Keep reading to discover how rainwater can damage your foundation, the various methods of repair, and how you can prevent it altogether.
How Can Rain Damage Your Foundation?
Rain can damage the foundation of a building in two primary ways, through hydrostatic pressure and erosion. The likelihood of experiencing hydrostatic pressure issues increases if the soil has a high clay quantity or if you reside in a region with a high-water table. Erosion is a bigger concern in soil that is more granular and devoid of clay.
Hydrostatic Pressure
Water is absorbed by the earth around your property. Over-saturation occurs when there is far more water in the earth than the soil can hold, and the extra water pushes against any object in its course. The water pressing against the wall is known as hydrostatic pressure, and it frequently travels through your home.
Generally, your foundation’s design prevents it from acting as a dam to hold back water. The pressure from the water may be successfully kept out, but the walls or flooring may still develop cracks as a result.
Sometimes, though, your foundation “loses,” allowing water to enter your basement or subterranean area. This can take place even if your foundation is completely intact. Given that the foundation is built of porous concrete, water seeps through it.
Both of these consequences are bad for you and your house. Water penetration ruins anything you have in your basement and introduces odors and the possibility of mold. What’s more, the structural integrity of your home is weakened by foundation cracks, which may begin modest but eventually get larger.
Settling and Erosion
Every house settles, especially over time and as fixtures and furniture are added because the building’s weight will progressively push into the earth. The thing to look out for is uneven settling. Erosion, which occurs when torrential rains dissipate the soil beneath a portion of the foundation, is a frequent cause of this.
There will be indications of unusual settling all across your house. This is because your home’s construction materials—wood, concrete, and steel—are rigid. Given that they are not engineered to flex, twist, or bend, the entire structure is put under stress when even one part of the foundation settles lower than the rest.
The problem starts with cracks in the foundation, which then propagate up. Drywall will break and wood bracing will twist. Keep an eye out for these issues:
- External foundation cracks
- Windows or doors that don’t open or close smoothly
- Cracks in the drywall, often near window or door frames
Approaches for Foundation Repair
Drainage systems can reduce the risk of foundation deterioration. You may need french drain or a surface system. A professional will determine which sort of drain will function best in that particular case.
French Drain
Smaller levels of moisture can be easily handled with this solution by using a perforated drain pipe. The french drains are positioned adjacent to the house’s foundation. This is considered a cost-effective option since it avoids a drawn-out setup process that could easily drive up the final fee.
Use of Sealants
The use of sealants is one of the most typical repair techniques. Techniques for sealing cracks are employed to fix those that develop on the foundation’s outside. That said, the crack must not be significant enough to compromise the foundation. Only a reputable structural engineer should be consulted for foundation crack repair.
Use of Poured Concrete Piers
Concrete piers may be utilized if additional support is needed to keep the foundation stable. The concrete pier can be built at the appropriate locations as required to support the structure. The pier’s depth often range from 1.5 to 3 meters. That said, based on the state of the ground, the depth with then be established.
The load combinations could be used to determine the size of the poured concrete pier. Typically, it could be 300mm. Additionally, to achieve high bearing pressure, the pier’s bottom diameter could be raised.
Slab Jacking
When there is a problem with a certain portion of the structure, you can opt to take care of that select area to keep the building stable. If the slab was built correctly, in such a situation, slab jacking is used to support the building. The slab will get support in order to restrain the structure’s vertical movement.
Closing Thoughts
There are many options for fixing foundation issues. Some fixes offer only temporary relief, while others offer a longer-lasting or even permanent remedy. Consult with the foundation specialists from Granite Foundation Repair to find the option that would fit your budget and needs.
We offer high-quality foundation repair for a home or business in Dallas. Steel piers, helical piers, and pressed concrete piers are just a few of the numerous foundation restoration services that we provide out valued clients.
We know precisely what to look for because of our years of experience working with foundations and clay soil. Our repair specialists are excellent at spotting problems with foundations and offering the right fix. Contact us today to learn more about our foundation inspection and repair services!