The foundation of your home is one of the single most important elements of your construction. When things start to go wrong here, you need to act fast. Foundation damage can be costly and can get progressively worse very quickly. You need to know what to look for in signs of foundation damage and what to expect during the repair process.
What Causes Foundation Issues?
Foundations will shift and settle naturally over time regardless, but some factors make this shifting and settling worse or make it happen sooner than it should. These include being built on expansive soil, insufficient drainage, extreme seasonal changes, and natural disasters. Other contributing factors could be plumbing leaks or tree root growth.
Signs Your Home Needs Foundation Repair
Foundation repair can be done by a general contractor in Doylestown PA. You need to know what to look for, as that could indicate foundation damage. One of the reasons why foundation damage is often so devastating is that homeowners aren’t even aware that there is a problem. You should look for cracks in your foundation, displaced moldings, cracks in bricks, separation around garage doors, or wall rotation. Sings within your house that will indicate foundation problems are cracked sheetrock, uneven floors, cracks in floors, and uneven doors or windows.
What to Expect From Foundation Repair
Foundation repair is an intensive type of home repair. If you don’t have these types of repairs done promptly, though, it’ll only get worse and more expensive. There are two main types of foundation repair. The first type is pier and beam repair. During pier and beam repair, pros will come in and shim. This preventative measure involves tightening the loose areas by adding wooden shims between the piers and beams. Pier stack additions can also be done if the piers are damaged. Beams may need to be replaced if there are rotted beams. Underpinnings may also need to be added.
The second type of repair is concrete slab repair. During slab repair, piers will need to be put into the ground under the foundation using a gas-powered hydraulic pump. The foundation can then be stabilized. This is often needed after a remodel to ensure the new work is not damaged.
Other Considerations
Foundation repair is no small matter, and there are several things you should consider. You’ll first want to find out if insurance will cover the cost of any of the repairs. In some cases, it will depend on what caused the damage in the first place.
If you’ll pay for repairs out of pocket, you’ll want to consider how valuable this investment is to your home. If it becomes necessary to borrow the money for these types of repairs, you should consider that an investment you’re making to save your home. If left unrepaired, foundation damage can quickly leave your home uninhabitable.
It’s also crucial that you choose your contractor carefully for this type of work. You’ll want to find a highly qualified general contractor in Bluebell who can help you. KH Construction has been a mainstay for construction and home improvement projects in this area.
As a family-owned company, we provide full-service contractor services to businesses and homeowners. For over 30 years, owner George J Wetton has built this business with integrity and quality service. If you need foundation repairs, please contact us today. Our team is ready to assess your damage and quickly plan repairs. Call us today for an estimate.