Common Issues With a Slab Foundation

5 Common Issues With a Slab Foundation

And What You Can Do To Stop Serious Damage

Concrete slab foundations have become the primary way homes are constructed in recent decades. The foundation is poured on top of the soil and made with thick concrete reinforced by rebar, making them more durable than other footers like crawl spaces that will eventually need to be replaced or renovated due to a lack of foundation capabilities over time. Even so, there are still risks involved in making sure you’re getting all possible peace of mind as an owner! We’ve identified some common problems associated with a slab-type foundation.

Settling Of The Foundation

The settling of the slab foundation is an issue that many homeowners deal with. It’s common for homes to settle over time, leading to various problems, including sinking foundations. Water-laden soil may be around, preventing the proper weight from being distributed evenly throughout the ground level below. This encourages settlement by causing even more downward pressure than naturally occurring without this extra load pushing against the earth.
It can be challenging to know what steps are needed to repair the problem when you notice foundation settlement.

However, some telltale signs indicate a need for corrective action: cracks in concrete, brick, or masonry; a leaning chimney or doors-and windows not fitting into their frames. Helical piers should be driven deep into the ground to prevent further problems with the movement of your home’s slab (or crawlspace). Hence, as they rise back up again – this will strengthen them where necessary while also keeping any existing issues at bay!

Upheaval

So you thought your home’s foundation was solid? Think again! The ground below can shift and cause erosion, which will lead to an unstable structure. Upheaval occurs when moisture-filled soil is added on top of a slab foundation – this type mainly occurs in areas with dense soil such as clay.

If you detect that your countertops, floors, and walls appear asymmetrical or if you notice cracks in the concrete, your slab foundation may be shifting. The answer is to install adequate drainage so that water does not over-saturate the earth. Call in the professionals at Childers Leveling, ground stabilization contractors, and foundation repair experts.

Cracking Of The Foundation

The foundation of your house is crucial to its stability and longevity. Cracks in this important structural component can cause many problems for homeowners, including settlement or upheaval that leads to a separated joint— and bugs entering through these openings at night!

Make sure you visually inspect any cracks before they become too large—any crack larger than 1/16th means it is time to call Childers Leveling to look at possible foundation repair methods. At Childers Leveling, we will evaluate the issue for free and recommend a course of action.

Improper Design

A poorly designed foundation can lead you to all sorts of problems, from not building on top of the foundation or even having unstable walls. For example, the concrete slab problem can be attributed to poor engineering, such as if there wasn’t a proper geological survey during the construction process. Or, if a client chooses to ignore professional recommendations about appropriate soil types needed based on local conditions. Contact a professional promptly to properly diagnose and remedy the foundation before a minor issue becomes a significant problem.

Shifting Piers

The most important thing to know about shifting foundations is that it’s not something that happens in a few months. It can take years for this issue to develop, and by then, you may have already experienced problems such as cracks in your walls or bulging floors from settling around the house! The greatest solution to a shifting foundation is to replace the old piers with new ones to keep the home stable.

Fortunately, there is a way of preventing this type of issue: install new piers at intervals to stabilize your foundation and stop further damage.

Contact Childers Leveling to find out which foundation repair method is best for your foundation.
It’s always a good idea to get an expert opinion on whether you’re dealing with foundation problems or just settling. Most owners will never think about their foundations until there is something wrong. But this can differentiate between knowing what needs fixing and wasting time and energy trying other things first!

Consult with the best foundation repair prevention experts around, so you know what will work well for your foundation. Contact Childers Leveling today at (800) 299-9563 or online and schedule your FREE 27 point foundation analysis.