If you’ve been putting off needed Dayton foundation repair, now is the time to call an expert! The longer you ignore foundation damage, the worse those cracks and chips get, and the more secondary damage you’ll need to address as well.
To ensure you’re keeping your home or commercial property in good repair, note a few common questions about foundation damage and needed repairs.
You can then discuss your options with a foundation repair contractor near you and know that your structure is always sitting on a strong, stable foundation.
1. How Do I Know If I Need Foundation Repair in Dayton?
Interior wall cracks are a common sign of needed foundation repair in Dayton. You might also notice gaps around outdoor fixtures such as attached garage doors and porch steps.
Doors and windows that stick or operate on their own and damp, musty basements are also signs of needed foundation repair.
Homeowners and commercial property owners should also note any cracks in a structure’s foundation itself.
Hairline cracks are sometimes normal and not a sign of serious damage, while cracks large enough to slide a coin into, or those in a zigzag pattern, can indicate severe foundation damage.
2. What Causes Foundation Damage?
There are many reasons why your home or commercial structure might suffer foundation damage; poor-quality foundation materials and installation can lead to crumbling concrete over time.
Improperly compacted soil around the foundation can also increase the risk of concrete shifting and then cracking and chipping.
Moisture collecting around the foundation also increases the risk of foundation damage, as concrete absorbs that moisture and then softens and weakens.
When that moisture freezes and expands, this also pushes binders out of place, so a foundation is not strong and stable.
Adding weight to a structure without underpinning the foundation can also weaken it over time so that it then cracks, chips, or crumbles.
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3. Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Foundation Damage Repair?
Note that insurance doesn’t cover the cost of repairs needed due to age or everyday wear and tear, or those caused by neglect.
If you added weight to the home without strengthening the foundation, or don’t keep the gutters clean so that rainwater washes over them and pools around the foundation, it’s unlikely that your insurance company would reimburse you the cost of foundation concrete repairs.
However, if your home was damaged due to fire or vandalism, earthquake, and other such causes, your repairs might be covered by your insurer.
To find out if your foundation repair costs are covered under your homeowner’s insurance, call your policy carrier or agent.
4. Will a House Collapse If You Ignore Foundation Damage?
A house or commercial building rarely outright collapses due to foundation damage, although certain interior walls and ceilings might collapse if you neglect needed foundation repair.
This can risk even more property damage and injury to anyone in the vicinity! Also, if a basement wall collapses, this can increase the risk of severe framing damage and structural instability, as the basement makes up a home’s foundation.
Even if a home or commercial building doesn’t outright collapse, there are many reasons to schedule timely foundation repairs.
Foundation cracks let in moisture that can lead to wood rot and mold growth, and also attract insects and pests.
Also, the longer you ignore needed foundation repairs, the more costly they become! Foundation damage can also affect property values, making it more difficult to sell your home or qualify for a home equity loan or line of credit.
5. What Is House Leveling?
House leveling, also called slab jacking or mud jacking, is for structures that have begun to sink or settle along one side.
These structures need to be lifted back to a level and even position before the foundation can be patched or otherwise repaired.
Slab jacking uses a specialty slurry injected underneath broken areas of foundation concrete.
A home or other structure is then lifted back to a level and even position, using specialty hydraulic equipment.
Once the structure is lifted, the slurry dries and hardens, giving added support to the foundation.
Cracks are repaired and your home or commercial structure is once again level, and the foundation remains strong and stable.
6. What Is the Best Foundation Repair Method?
Patching and patch injections work to repair minor cracks and chips. Patching materials and injections deep in foundation concrete help fill in gaps; these materials then harden, keeping out water and keeping the foundation strong.
Steel pin insertion is often used for severely damaged foundations. These pins are inserted into the ground along the outside of damaged foundation sections; brackets at the top of these pins are fastened to the foundation.
This gives the foundation added strength while keeping it in place.
House leveling, mentioned above, lifts sunken structures. House leveling also adds strength to a foundation, keeping that structure level and even.
To find out the best foundation repair method for your home, consult with a foundation repair contractor.
7. How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost?
Patching and concrete injections might cost a few hundred dollars, although these are not usually permanent solutions and need reapplication every few years.
Steel pins usually cost several hundred dollars each, so your total costs will depend on how many pins are needed for your property.
House leveling might average a few thousand dollars, although this cost is affected by how much patching and other repair work is needed once the structure is lifted and leveled.
Your overall foundation repair costs might also go up if your contractor recommends sealing, waterproofing, and other services that help protect those repairs over the years.
8. Are Foundation Repairs Worth It?
While foundation repairs are often expensive and might not necessarily make your home look any better, they are an excellent investment in your property.
Avoiding these repairs can mean expensive secondary damage, as mentioned, and costlier fixes down the road.
A foundation repair contractor can also note if there are changes you can make to avoid future foundation repair in Dayton, such as better property grading, compacting the soil around your structure, or sump pump installation.
These changes can ensure your property stays in good condition for many years to come!
