The foundation of your home is hidden, but it’s one of the most important aspects of your home’s construction. A healthy, well-formed foundation that holds its shape throughout the seasons is the key to a house that lasts a long time and holds its value. Sometimes, a little maintenance is necessary. If problems are ignored through time, and the situation is allowed to deteriorate, a large and expensive repair will be needed. This is never ideal. Here are three big reasons to check the status of your home’s foundation sooner rather than later.
1. Little problems can turn into big ones
The problems might be small at first – in fact, they might seem downright miniscule. There might be a few small cracks in the walls, a door that sticks, or a very slight change to the slope of the floors. But make no mistake – these symptoms indicate foundation problems, and the longer they’re left to fester, the more warped and displaced the foundation will become. Soon those cracks won’t look so small, and that sloping floor would be so subtle.
Repairing a foundation that has only just begun to show signs of displacement can be a relatively simple and affordable process. On the other hand, repairing a foundation that is significantly damaged is often far-reaching and very expensive – not to mention the effect it will have on the market value of your home.
2. Water damage can be devastating
As a homeowner, extensive water damage is one of the worst things to deal with. It usually comes in the form of basement flooding, and is very often related to flaws and cracks in the foundation of the home. A significant water damage event can take weeks to clean up, and can leave a permanent mark on the integrity of your home. Aside from all of the immediate problems that come from having water in your basement, there is also the significant risk of a residential mold invasion, since mold thrives on moisture.
3. A repaired foundation can lower energy costs
People don’t often think of this, but when the foundation of your home is damaged, one of the side-effects is soaring energy bills. Your home’s HVAC systems rely on a tight seal between indoor and outdoor environments in order to be every efficient. A damaged foundation results in cracks and warped areas around windows and doors; not to mention ceilings, floors, and crawlspaces. With a damaged foundation, the home can easily become drafty. As the seal gets worse, energy bills continue to rise. Staying on top of foundation maintenance will help you avoid this problem altogether.
Foundation expertise you can trust
Depending on where you live, there might several foundation repair specialists in your area. A contractor you hire to inspect your foundation, recommend repairs, and actually conduct any necessary repairs should be highly experienced and skilled. Foundation work involves a lot of precise steps, and getting it wrong can make your situation worse. That’s why it’s so important to only entrust your home’s foundation to a proven contractor.