Home / Is My House Just Settling, or Do I Need Foundation Repair?
Many people say a house is settling when they hear an inexplicable creak or crack inside the home. But what does house settling mean, and when does a home’s foundation need repair? It’s important to catch foundation issues early so you can save time, money, and hassle down the line.
At Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions, we take pride in our reputation for providing waterproofing services that protect your home’s structure at an affordable price. Here, we outline what it means when a house settles and discuss the signs that indicate a home needs foundation repair.
What Does House Settling Mean?
A common explanation for a creaking floor or an odd bump at home is that it’s settling. All houses settle, meaning the house begins to compress into the ground over time and with changing weather. It generally takes about one season for a house to settle. How much a property settles can depend on the soil composition, its moisture level, and the local climate. Building materials can expand and contract as temperatures fluctuate, too.
One sign of house settling is narrow hairline cracks that don’t change over time. These tiny cracks are generally harmless and can be easy to patch. However, other warnings within a house can indicate foundation repair or stabilization is necessary.
What Causes Foundation Damage?
House foundations can go into disrepair for several reasons, including exposure to:
- An earthquake or major ground shifts
- Continual water and moisture
- Large tree roots
A home built on clay soil, which expands and contracts with moisture levels, can also contribute to damaging a foundation. However, one of the most common reasons a foundation will need fixing is that it wasn’t laid properly when the home was built. This means the ground on which the foundation was laid wasn’t compacted completely or evenly. These factors, combined with settling, can wreak havoc on the foundational structures and the home’s support system.
When Do You Need Foundation Repair?
There are certain ways to gauge whether your home needs repairs such as foundation stabilization or foundation crack repair. These can include:
Cracks in Bricks or Drywall
Cracks in exterior bricks or interior drywall can simply be the result of excessive moisture. However, they can also be a sign of a more fundamental problem with a foundation that is uneven or faltering.
Bowing Walls
Bowing walls are likely a sure sign of major foundation instability. If foundation walls bow noticeably, wall anchors should be installed to stabilize and straighten them. More extensive repairs to the foundation, crawl space, or basem*nt may also be necessary.
Doors and Windows Sticking
An often telltale sign of foundational issues is doors or windows not aligning or sticking. This may seem minor, but these subtle structural shifts on the main floors of a home are often linked to foundation problems.
Other warning signs within a home that may mean the foundation needs maintenance or repair include warped or sloped flooring, loose stone wall parging, or blistered paint on foundations. Routine maintenance or inspection of the foundation is important to ensure these issues don’t lead to more extensive damage.
Maintain Your Foundation With Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions
Using only the best processes, most advanced technology, and state-of-the-art materials, Dry Tech Waterproofing Solutions has years of experience providing comprehensive water management solutions to customers in our service areas. We care about our customers in the tri-state region of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, offering free estimates, discounts, zero-percent interest financing plans, and a lifetime warranty on all our waterproofing solutions. To learn more about foundation repair and our other services, contact us today.
