Foundations are tasked with the unenviable job of carrying an entire structure on their back day in and day out. The pressure is incredible in the most literal sense. That is why builders are particularly focused on ensuring that this part of a house or building is laid down properly before even beginning to put together the actual house design. However, all of the diligence in the world will not guarantee that there will never be any trouble further down the road. Circumstances can change in the environment which could lead to failure. The most common ones include the following:
Soil Conditions
A house rests on a foundation which in turn rests on the soil. Changes in the soil conditions will affect those that are sitting on top of it. For example, excessive rain during one season will make the ground soaked and swollen. On the other hand, a drought will leave it dry and flat. These alternating conditions may eventually cause the slab to buckle depending on their severity. If the soil shifting would only occur uniformly across the underside of the structure, then there might not be much of a problem. However, one side usually dips lower than the other putting pressure on that area. Visit us here.
Construction Issues
Old homes may suffer from construction issues after a few decades. The building techniques used in the 1960s, for example, were not able to take into account many of the things that could result in problematic foundations. Many used short cedar post piers that could barely provide adequate support for the structure. Other techniques like using block and pad piers have proven to be susceptible to soil movements. Time inevitably does its damage on vulnerable designs and materials. The process may take a long while but homeowners will eventually have to deal with the situation if they wish to preserve the property.
Water is a frequent culprit in the weakening of foundations. The liquid has the ability to make its way through cracks and surfaces with patience and relentlessness. Sometimes it comes from rain and snow. At other times it comes from poor plumbing and drainage systems. Old pipes can crack or burst paving the way for water to run rampant at the bottom of the house where it inevitably makes its way to the slabs and soil. The concrete becomes brittle, the metals get corroded, and the soil shifts add to the tension down below.
Landscaping Errors
Landscaping can definitely make the property much more attractive but the designer must be careful about plant placement so as not to adversely affect the foundation. Placing an excessive amount of shrubs at or near the edge of the house may cause the roots to get much of the moisture content from the soil on one side which could lead to contraction. Large trees, on the other hand, may send their roots directly under the house and wreak havoc. Find a repair contractor that only uses high quality foundation repair equipment for sale on the market.