Is It Worth It to Repair My Foundation?

Home repairs are not inexpensive. Not to mention that high-quality foundation repairs are also not cheap. So you may be wondering: is it truly worth investing significant funds in something that may not be visible?

It is, without a doubt.

The short answer is yes. You need to have your foundation repaired if it shows signs of distress. Your foundation is the base of the entire building’s structure, and it can be very dangerous to leave untreated.

Let’s look at how foundation problems affect your entire house.

Foundation Cracks Indicate Developing Damage

What is the first image that springs to mind when you hear the word “crack”? Is it a soothing or reassuring sound? Do you anticipate that whatever it is will still be in good condition? We are going to assume the responses are “no!”. It makes little difference what produced the sound; cracking usually signifies something is breaking.

Your foundation is no exception. It doesn’t crack for no reason, and it’s usually a warning that something has to be repaired.

Hydrostatic pressure and settling are the most common contributors to this cracking.

Hydraulic Pressure

Hydraulic pressure is the pressure that is caused by water inundating the land around your property. The soil expands as it absorbs water, taking up the additional physical area. When there is more water than the soil can absorb, it applies pressure to everything around it in search of a place to go. Your foundation acts as a “dam” to keep water out of your home. This can form pressure that can eventually cause it to fail or crack. This can allow the water in, and eventually, it can make its way to the wood in the home.

When the wood in your home becomes wet, it becomes a great habitat for termites and other insects. Because your home’s entire flooring structure (sill plate, beams, joists, etc.) is constructed of wood, this is frequently how floors begin to droop.

Uneven Settlement

Your house will settle over time. Nature is at work. A huge, heavy structure, such as a home, gradually sinks into the ground. This is normally done very slowly.

However, some factors can cause this process to speed up. Perhaps the dirt beneath the house was not well-compacted before construction. The dirt beneath the house may have layers of soil with a different composition that move more easily. It might even be erosion beneath the house’s foundation. Whatever the reason, one corner or piece of a house may settle faster than the rest.

When settling occurs at different speeds, the overall structure of your home is strained. A house is made of sturdy concrete, steel, and wood elements. These are not intended to be flexible components. When gravity pulls on them with an unequal amount of force, they will move. They can crack, tear, twist, and distort. This can often be seen in the doorways and other parts of the structure. When there are signs of settlement, you might want to have that inspected to ensure that your foundation isn’t affected.

About Done Right Foundation Repair

Locally Owned, Texas Proud

Done Right Foundation Repair was created over 20 years ago by Chris Felsing with the support of his family. He started with a small team and a big dream, learning the ins and outs of foundation repair as he went. He and his team looked for ways to provide a complete solution to all foundation issues and have worked tirelessly for the past 20 years to master their craft. Our Central Texas locations: Done Right Foundation Repair in Austin, Done Right Foundation Repair in New Braunfels, Done Right Foundation Repair in San Marcos