Many modern homes and other structures have concrete foundations. That's not surprising since concrete is such a strong and durable material. That said, concrete, just like all other materials, is not perfect. Concrete can sometimes run into problems, which can then cause problems with your home itself.
The key is to be aware of the warning signs of issues with your concrete foundation. That way, you can fix problems by removing and replacing parts of your foundation before they have a chance to do serious damage.
Surprisingly, sometimes your floor will be what clues you in to an issue with your concrete foundation. If you notice cracks in your flooring that appear out of nowhere, this could be due to shifting foundation.
As the foundation moves and expands, it can begin to crack, which can eventually cause cracking visible at the flooring level as well.
In many cases, you will need to get to the underlying problem, meaning what's causing the shifting, in addition to fixing or replacing the concrete. If you do both, however, you can get your home and its foundation back on solid ground.
Does one part of your home seem to be growing a little higher, while other parts appear to be sinking lower? This problem usually starts out gradually but will typically get worse as time goes on.
Uneven areas within the home are usually caused by subgrade issues. As parts of your concrete foundation sink more deeply into the soil below, other areas will do the opposite and rise. Eventually, this problem affects not just your foundation, but your home as well.
You should address these issues immediately since they can eventually cause structural issues within your home, as well as damage to your home's flooring.
While sagging concrete areas are a concern, if any parts of your concrete foundation and/or the floor covering it have collapsed or are starting to collapse, this can pose a big threat, as well. Concrete is strong, but it still needs the proper reinforcement, usually steel, to act as a foundation.
So, if one or more sections of your concrete are slowly collapsing, this is usually a sign that it will need to be removed and then reinstalled correctly by qualified professionals.
Be on the lookout for visible signs of water damage that occur near your home's flooring, such as in corners or crevices.
When the soil underneath concrete is experiencing issues, such as shifting, it can cause water to not be able to drain properly. That same water can then start to damage your foundation and, eventually, your home itself.
By the time that the signs of water damage are visible within your home, the damage to your foundation is likely fairly severe, which is why you'll want to address the problem right away.
Often, when doors stick or do not close properly, people assume that they have a problem with their doors.
In reality, though, this door problem could actually be a foundation problem. If your foundation has started to sink, rise, or shift, it could affect your doors by making them no longer sit evenly.
If you notice problems with your doors, it's not a bad idea to have your concrete foundation checked out, just in case that's what is causing the issues.
Concrete foundation is a wonderful choice, but it does have to be installed properly and inspected regularly to avoid problems. In addition to proper installation and care, be on the lookout for the warning signs that your concrete has problems. If you notice any of these issues, be sure to contact the concrete experts at
Capitol City Concrete Cutters.
