Wednesday 26 June 2019

Why Are The Foundations Of Your Home So Important?*

Out of sight, your home's foundations are not something you probably give a lot of thought too. The strength of a building lies in its foundation and of course the main purpose of the foundation is to hold the structure above it and keep it upright! A proper foundation does more than just hold your home above ground; it also keeps out moisture, insulates against the cold, and resists movement of the earth around it. Building a good foundation requires a lot more than digging a hole and pouring some concrete into forms.
Sinking foundations are normally the result of unstable ground and are a big problem for the owner of any building. So what are the signs of a sinking foundation?

- A sideways slant to a building
- Windows and doors which won't close properly or simply "look off"
- Cracks in basements or on walls in the main living parts of a home
- Puddles of rainwater which gathers around the base of a building are another symptom that something is amiss

Once the damage begins to take its toll, that has an unfortunate knock-on effect and the buildings' structure begins to gradually deteriorate. If you know that your building is in an area with unstable soil, then it is even more important that you keep an eye out for the signs. Neighbouring buildings for example, may begin to show signs of damage before your building does. Use this as your chance to rectify a problem which might be lying in wait. Sort it out early before anything actually happens. In order for repairs to be made to a sinking foundation a detailed analysis needs to be done to fully understand the problem, A structural engineer is able to survey the building and work out what the problem is. Then it's time to decide what the solution might be. There are many ways to approach the issue of sinking foundations depending on the building and what ground it is built on.

There are a couple of solutions to help fix the problem:

High pressure grouting is one option and is usually used in domestic home settings. This involves the injection of grout into the soil to improve its load-bearing capabilities. This technique is only effective for a certain amount of time though and is not generally seen as a permanent solution. 

Helical piles are the longest-lasting and most reliable fix for the issue of a sinking foundation and because the installation of helical piles of quick and easy when compared to other building maintenance techniques, it is the only option many building owners choose.

Eco-friendly, fast and cost-efficient, helical piles can be used in almost all circumstances, even on structures which are built on a slope or in very damp areas.

If you think you have any signs of damage to your home's foundations then really do not delay in seeking the advice of a structural engineer to discuss the problem further. There are affordable solutions out there!

*This is a collaborative post with Screwfast

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