A settling foundation is not a rare occurrence. Settling happens when your house slowly sinks into the ground over time. This can be attributed to the shifting of soil.
In Texas, the soil is largely composed of clay. This makes a settling foundation much more likely.
A settling foundation isn’t a cause for panic. You just need to know the signs of damages. If you’re able to spot a settling foundation right away, it can be corrected using various techniques.
Most people are not keen on observing for foundation issues, afraid that it will be expensive. However, the longer you sit on the problem, the more costly and longer it will take to be resolved.
Here are some signs of a settling foundation to watch out for:
1. Sticky Doors and Windows
If you find yourself struggling to open doors and windows, this may be a result of foundation settling. The shifting causes tilting and angling, so the doors and windows have a hard time fitting in their frames. This makes it harder to close them.
2. Gaps Appearing Between Doors and Windows
Walls may pull away from the doors and window frames, creating a gap. When you spot this, make sure to call Granite Foundation Repair, since foundation settling may have already started.
Catching it early is the best way to reduce repair costs.
3. Cracks Becoming Visible in the Foundation
There are a number of reasons why cracks may occur. It may be that the soil shifted underneath, leading to several cracks. However, seasonal moisture changes can also be a factor for the appearance of cracks.
4. Burst Water Pipes
When shifting or foundation settling occurs, water pipes can twist and shift, too. If you notice that pipes around your house are bending or have twisted, it’s best to contact Granite Foundation Repair immediately.
This will help you avoid the stress of a burst pipe, which can lead to significant property damage. If you skip a regular foundation inspection, you may risk the impact of a burst water pipe and the cost of its repair.
5. Sloping or Slanted Floors
When your foundation settles, you may notice that your floors start slanting little by little. Over time, it will become very obvious and affect the attractiveness of your property.
It’s best to contact a professional foundation repair company to find out if your foundation has shifted.
Foundation Settling and Electrical Issues
Many homeowners worry that a settling foundation may lead to electric problems. However, this is not a very likely situation, especially if your property is built upon a slab foundation.
If you have pier and beam foundations in your structure, then your electrical lines can cross from the exterior, crawl spaces and overhead. Electrical problems occurring in the crawl spaces are seldom attributed to foundation settling.
Broken Electrical Lines
What’s more common, though, are wires coming loose in the crawl spaces. It could also be that contractors might accidentally cut them, leaving your home in darkness.
This can happen easily, especially when a foundation repair is going on. To avoid this problem, a reputable foundation company will always locate a deep line in the area of foundation repair. This makes it less likely for service people to accidentally clip an electrical wire.
Movement of Electric Meter
When frequent movement occurs in a structure, it can leave electrical wires loose and disconnected. However, you can normally contact your power company for the replacement of an electric meter at no charge when it’s damaged or old.
Buried electrical wires from the utility distribution to the house can limit the amount of lift that is possible. Too much lift can cause the wires to separate at the electric meter.
Breaker Boxes
The presence of breaker boxes makes it tough for electrical problems to occur. Therefore, you generally don’t need to worry about electrical issues caused by settling foundation.
Water Moisture’s Effect on Electricity
You may worry about poor drainage leading to electrical problems. Excess moisture may lead to a damaged foundation, and thus indirectly cause electrical issues.
The Cause of Foundation Settling
Although natural changes are often the reasons behind settling, they’re not the only factor. It could also be due to construction errors.
For example, the construction workers may have taken away too much excess soil while building your ground floor. This must be replaced with soil that’s sufficiently compacted. Otherwise, it won’t be able to hold the weight of the house.
Spotting foundation damage can be difficult, as the signs aren’t always obvious. It’s best to contact a foundation repair company for a professional inspection.
Foundation settlement is a regular problem for plenty of property owners, especially those who live in Texas. Many regions of this state have a high concentration of clay in the soil, making homes more vulnerable to foundation issues. Old structures need to be extensively checked when it comes to their foundation.
Home Inspection: Buyers Beware
Home inspectors may gloss over the foundation issues with a statement like “some setting and cracks in the foundation, typical of houses in the neighborhood.” That statement in a home inspector’s report is a red flag to have the foundation properly inspected!
Contact Granite Foundation Repair now at 972-412-2171 to schedule a free foundation inspection. We can provide practical solutions and check the severity foundation settling, if present.