Foundation Damage and Taking Care of Problems

We have met many people who have given little thought to their foundations when they are in their homes. Usually, there are no problems and they function to give stability to our abodes. But we think it’s important to pay the foundation some well-deserved attention. How many times have you taken a walk around the house and really looked at your foundation?

We think that getting into the habit of periodic inspection is a good idea. By being proactive, you can avoid significant and costly repairs. A significant issue to look for during your inspection is any crack that is wider than a quarter of an inch. If you don’t take care of these seemingly small cracks with a proper repair, these cracks will continue to enlarge.

But these cracks can often be just a symptom of a bigger problem, so it is extremely important to fix the cause of these cracks and not just the crack itself. If root causes are not addressed or fixed, some of the more concerning results of foundation damage are uneven floors, crooked doors or windows, and even cracked drywall. Protect your home (your biggest investment!)

Some homeowners may place the blame for any foundation issues on their lack of upkeep or other reason, but there are times that the concrete used to create the foundation itself is to blame for severe damage. One of the biggest examples of this type of malfunction took place in North Central Connecticut, especially in the towns of Putnam, Plainfield, East Hartford, Tolland, Enfield, Manchester, and Windham. Homeowners in these areas have been plagued with foundations that contain hairline cracks and crumbling concrete and other foundation failures.

How could something like this happen?

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection has found that home inspections have found pyrrhotite, an iron sulfide mineral, has oxidized in the concrete. This oxidation caused the concrete to expand which lead to cracking and crumbling. This damage can take years to show  as most of the affected homes with these failing foundations were built in the 1980s and 1990s.

While we are sure that most of our service area in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut will not deal with problems of this severity, we wanted to bring home the point that looking at your foundation is important.

So what if during one of these inspections you find some cracks or other damage?

Eastman Building Movers can be a great help if your home or building is need of temporary supports while foundation or ground work is being done. We can help you with your cribbing or shoring project and will work with any structural engineer or general contractor to ensure your project goes smoothly and without damage to your home. To learn more, call our office 401-885-4216