Your home is one of your most important assets so it’s critical that it be protected from damage. Most homeowners expect structure-threatening problems to come from above in the form of harsh weather events like storms, without considering that they can also come from below! Many people find that over the years the foundations their homes are built on can shift and settle, creating stability problems that can lead to uneven floors, cracks in the walls, and if allowed to progress too far, even the total collapse of the structure!
Unstable foundations and house settling are actually a fairly common issue that needs to be addressed quickly before greater harm is done. If you are seeing signs of levelling than you should seek out professional lifting house repair for foundations | TerraFirm Leveling, their experts will set things to rights so your home can stand strong and stable for years to come!
Levelling your house is a complex process that involves repairing and modifying the foundations. The process is usually performed after your home’s foundation has sunk and visible signs like sloping floors or breaking walls have begun to manifest. Levelling a house is a big, complicated process requiring engineering expertise and the proper heavy equipment, it should never be attempted by an amateur as a DIY project, that is likely to end in disaster for the home and even result in serious injury to the homeowner! In order to prevent further harm to your property, the causes of house settlement should be addressed by the professionals as soon as possible.
Let’s take a closer look now at the possible causes of this unsettling problem!
- Poor Drainage – Poor drainage is often the culprit of house levelling. If water isn’t drained properly away from your home’s foundations, it can saturate the soil causing it to become unstable. Over time this can lead to movement of the foundation and settling.
- Soil Movement – This is one of the main causes of house settlement, soil moves and shifts due to changing moisture levels, seasonal rains, nearby heavy construction, and naturally occurring geological shifts. The soil movement causes the foundation to shift which can result in structural damage that might require professional house levelling.
- Shoddy Construction – House settlement can be caused by sub-standard, shoddy construction in some cases. This unfortunate outcome might occur from the use of poor quality building materials, inadequate soil preparation, and errors in the foundation’s design.
- Tree Roots – All too often trees are planted too close to a house’s foundation by people who simply aren’t thinking ahead! As the tree grows its powerful roots spread out seeking more nutrients and eventually push against the foundation, which can cause it to shift and settle.
- Natural Disasters – Earthquakes, landslides, and floods often create problems with house levelling. The fury of these natural disasters can cause major damage to the foundation of a home.
Now that we have established the common causes of house levelling and the foundation damage that makes it occur, let’s examine some of the tell-tale signs so you can monitor your home’s health and be proactive in preventing further damage!
Cracks In Walls Or Ceilings – These are very likely a sign that your house is in the process of settling unevenly. If the cracks are growing noticeably larger and spreading, it’s important to act quickly and have them inspected by a foundation specialist to assess the extent of the problem and the best solution.
Uneven Floors – If your floors are becoming more and more uneven, your furniture is wobbly, and there are dips, humps, or bumps in your floors, these are sure signs that your house’s foundation has grown unstable.
-Don’t wait until it’s too late, have your house levelled!
