Most homeowners are completely unaware of the importance of crawl space maintenance. The majority simply pay their yearly property taxes without ever thinking about how their homes are built or how they can benefit from complete crawl space maintenance. But it’s critical to every home owner’s budget and should never be ignored. The average homeowner doesn’t think that there’s a problem until there’s an issue or they hear a crackling noise that they assume is the foundation. Crawl space maintenance is incredibly important and should never be taken lightly. Here’s why:
Cracks in the ground aren’t the only cause for alarm. Even small amounts of water can seep into the foundation causing buckling and structural damage. But water damage isn’t the only issue that can occur in the foundation.
Piles of organic material such as leaves and branches can also seep into the soil surrounding your crawl space. Leaves and branches are made up of natural waste products which break down over time and enter your soil. Unfortunately, most people never think about the roots of these materials when they are considering foundation repair. While you may never believe that your yard has roots, it’s likely that these unwanted elements have found their way into your basement. And in all likelihood, they have contributed to damage to your foundation.
When soil expands and contract due to climate changes and other factors, cracks can often appear in the foundation. While expansion and contraction cause many cracks, the combination of both is even more damaging. Because soil cannot expand and contract on its own, sometimes additional cracks will form in the foundation footer or slab. And this is when damage can become much worse. The combined effects of expansion and contraction can cause your foundation to settle into a negative slope, erode away the underlying soil, and/or sink into your basement.
Determining if the soil in your crawl space has been affected by outside influences is important to foundation repair. If you have detected cracks, holes, or other damage that has occurred, you should contact a foundation specialist to help you determine how best to address the situation. For example, if soil has been severely affected by frost, your initial steps should include removal of the affected materials, excavation of the hole or crack, and removal of excess soil.
Next, a foundation specialist will carefully assess the foundation footer and slab to determine whether any foundation problems exist. Your foundation footer is the area on the exterior of the foundation that connects to the soil. A major problem could involve rotting holes or cracks in the footer which can let foundation material to seep into your basement.
After the soil structure has been assessed, your contractor will be able to determine what best to do with your damaged soil. If you have structural damage to your home, it is possible that foundation footer cracks will need to be repaired or replaced. If the structure has suffered less damage, a base leveling contractor may be able to use fill dirt to level the area. Of course, if your crawl space is totally destroyed, you will need to excavate the entire space, remove the soil, repair all foundation damage, and reinstall a new foundation footer slab.
Foundation repair is an integral part of proper or crawl space maintenance. If you are experiencing issues with your crawl space, don’t hesitate to contact a foundation specialist for more information. With the right help, you can enjoy a hassle-free foundation repair process.
There are several reasons why soil can become cracked or compromised in crawl areas. Over time, rain and other elements can gradually erode the quality of the soil. Even heavy rains or snow can cause damage to the underlying structure. In some cases, soil movement as the result of foot traffic can also be a problem. All of these issues can lead to cracked or compromised foundation walls.
Crawl space maintenance can be a daunting task. However, if you choose a reputable company with a proven record of excellent service, you can rest assured that your foundation problems will be addressed in a timely manner. You can also rest assured that the job will be completed with the highest level of safety and integrity.
It is important to remember that any foundation repair or site clean up that you perform will need to be done in accordance with local building codes. This means that your chosen foundation repair contractor must be licensed and certified by the local government. This is another reason why it is so important to choose a reputable and reliable foundation repair contractor. A quality contractor will work with you from the initial concept through the completion of all required materials, on time and within the budget. With proper crawl space maintenance, you can be sure that your home will continue to function properly for years to come.
