Many Pearland homeowners experience a weak foundation or signs of foundation movement. Whether the cracks are small or large they are a warning sign that the house is not stable and needs a professional inspection.
The foundation is the backbone of a home. When it becomes unlevel, it can cause a number of problems including uneven floors and doors that don’t close properly. Discover more at foundation repair Pearland.
Causes
The soil beneath a home’s foundation shifts due to changes in weather. This shifting creates cracks and other structural damage to the house. This is why homeowners should look for warning signs and call a foundation repair company.
The company will inspect the home and use underpinning to fix it. This method involves digging or drilling long steel piers under the foundation of the house. The house will then be jacked up and placed on the piers. The piers will support the house and prevent it from moving in the future.
The pier and beam foundation is common in Texas. However, this type of foundation can cause problems because the beams at the base of the foundation cannot support the weight of the house above them. As the beams break down, the house will sink over time. This can cause serious problems with the level of the floors and the overall stability of the house.
Symptoms
A house can start to show signs of needing leveling when the foundation settles unevenly. Often, this is due to soil that was not backfilled properly. In other cases, it is a result of expansive soils that move and shift with changes in the weather. If you notice wall cracks, plumbing problems that create clogs and slow drainage, or trouble opening doors, these are all signs that the foundation is shifting and needs to be repaired.
Homeowners should seek out professional foundation repair contractors to fix the problem as soon as they can. This will help prevent the damage from worsening and reduce costs. Delaying the process will only escalate the problem and cause additional damages to your home. Fortunately, Pear Trees Foundation Repair has experts well-versed in home lifting that can help you get your house leveled quickly and effectively. Our specialists use the arrow lift structural lifting system to raise your home and correct the uneven foundation.
Prevention
A house’s foundation is the key to its structural integrity. A weakened foundation can cause a variety of problems, including uneven floors and doors that don’t close properly. The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent foundation damage and keep your home healthy for years to come.
Watering your home’s foundation during harsh weather conditions can help prevent foundation issues, but Pearland experiences extreme wet and dry climate changes that may make this a temporary solution. The soil also expands in heavy rain and contracts during sweltering summers, causing movement and stress on your foundation slab.
If you’re worried about foundation settlement, it’s important to get it addressed right away. Leaving the issue unattended will only cause further damage to your home’s structure and lead to more costly repairs in the future. The best way to prevent foundation settling is to contact a professional for a concrete leveling consultation in Pearland today.
Cost
Many people fail to realize that the costs associated with Foundation Repair are not limited to labor and materials. Depending on the method of leveling, additional expenses may arise as a result of damage to other structural components or systems. These costs can be mitigated by catching problems early with regular inspections and prompt repairs.
In addition, the location of a house significantly impacts the cost. In urban areas, construction work tends to be more expensive due to increased material and labor costs.
Homeowners who own houses with pier and beam or block and base foundations should have them regularly leveled. These types of homes are prone to sinking because the wooden beams at the base can’t support the structure above them. Over time, this can lead to serious issues with the levels of floors and even cause doors and windows to become unusable. To avoid these problems, professional engineers recommend using spot piering to provide stable support to the base of the house.