The foundation is one of the most important, yet most overlooked parts of a property. Sometimes, as it is, “out of sight, out of mind,” homeowners and building owners can forget that it is even there. Those who neglect building foundation issues can experience severe and extensive damage to their property. Foundation issues can result due to a number of reasons, including drainage problems, pre-construction soil preparation, plumbing leaks, and plant roots withdrawing water from the soil. Most homeowners only think about the foundation when something goes wrong. Because fixing foundations can be quite costly,proper maintenance is important. You can prevent foundation issues by taking some precautions.
As the experts in Foundation Repair in Virginia , we have experienced a fair share of common foundation problems. To help avoid severe foundation issues, AA Action Waterproofing suggest these rock-solid tips:
Yearly Plumbing Checks
One of the most important tips to prevent foundation issues involves annual plumbing system inspections of your house- both inside and out. Pooling water, low-faucet pressure, and moldy walls are all signs of plumbing problems, but some leaks are not so clear. Leaking pipes and leaks under the floors and walls are not dangerous for a foundation, but they do destroy other parts of the building. And, left unchecked can cause you to to have to pay a Continue reading →
Knowing that your home has a severe foundation damage can be a scary experience for most of the homeowners. However, at AA Action Waterproofing, our experts operate under the principle that resident or business foundation repair does not have to be at all expensive or difficult.
Unfortunately, there are several myths about the foundation repair process and in reality, this process is not as expensive, scary or invasive as it may seem. Today, let’s debunk a few common myths people may have heard about foundation repair and damage.
Any contractor is qualified for foundation repair
The one of the most common myths related to foundation repair is that any contractor you find in the phone book or online can easily handle the job. There are many untrustworthy people in repair sector, many of them are frauds, so keep price aside when looking for a contractor. In reality, the best way to find a good contractor is do a deep research and find a company that specializes in foundation repair. You should also look for reviews, certifications and other essential information.
It is extremely costly
This kind of myth is very common to many major resident repair jobs, than foundation repair. Depending on what type of repair is needed, foundation repairs can be extremely expensive. The actual cost of repair differs Continue reading →
If you are buying or selling a new home, or have been settled in for a while, it is essential to know about possible signs of foundation problems. Repairing the foundation can be time-consuming and expensive, especially for people who are not aware of the basics. If left ignored a settled or shifted foundation can cause big problems across other parts of your home. At Action Waterproofing, we believe that necessary measures will definitely save you from daily headaches due to expensive foundation repair. Early detection of these problems will save you you money and time in long run.
Here are 6 critical signs that suggest your home or building may need foundation repair.
1. Poor Water Drainage
Poor water drainage can be a leading cause of foundation problem. So, it is very important to notice drainage problems you may have. In order to inspect or check out drainage problems, you must regularly check around your home or commercial surroundings for wet soil (if there is no rain recently) or, dry soil (if rain has fallen).
2. Visible Cracks
Any visible cracks in the exterior or interior walls of your property are another common sign that you need a foundation repair. Inspect regularly your building or home for visible formations of cracks in interior or exterior walls. Drywall, plaster Continue reading →
Having a crack in the foundation is surely not a good sign for your house and that can lead to several problems which will affect your house value. A cracked foundation is easily noticeable but we tend to ignore it that can result in a broader way. It’s necessary to inspect your foundation on a regular basis. The root of the crack could be pressure and water. The entrenchment of water makes the structure weak. To get an authentic repair of your foundation, A Action Waterproofing will be a better option in order to have an authentic and long term repair.
It is advisable to keep inspecting the foundation as the base is the most important part to ensure the strength and longevity of the house. A cracked foundation can be the cause of many damages inside and outside of your house and this can be costly as well. Opting for A Action Waterproofing means effective work at low cost. Let’s consider the consequences of a cracked foundation you can face.
Safety
If there’s a crack in your foundation, this can be a call to be repaired immediately. The minute you notice “crack in the foundation”, the first thing comes in your mind is, are we safe? Safety is the first priority for everyone and for that, one needs to Continue reading →
A common problem of every house is a leaning chimney that is not so uncommon to be overlooked by homeowners. Leaning chimneys are the evidence of serious issues such as bricks can easily fall, smoke can leak into home’s interior, snow and rain could seep in leading to water damage and bugs can enter exposed cracks that needs to be addressed immediately.
The leaning chimneys are basically of two types, one that leans away from the house and the other one that leans on or over the house. Some homeowners try to fix this problem themselves but it is only temporary. As leaning chimney is a noticeable sign of foundation failure, at the first sight of damaged chimney, call in a licensed professional.
What is the cause?
The material such as bricks and stones that are used to build chimneys are extremely heavy. Actually, chimneys need specific concrete footing to support all the added weight. This footing along with the underlying foundation supports your home. There are various reasons that cause the leaning of your chimney that consists of:
- The clasps and brackets that hold the upper segments of chimney in place are worn
- The improper size of footing
- Over time, shifting of soil and water causes the cracks in it or crumbles the concrete
- Volatile soil contractions and expansions,
Continue reading →
A person’s house is one of the most valuable assets for him/her. It is valuable not only for its commercial value but also because a person has many memories related to one’s own house. Any major damage to the house may be a catastrophic event for the owner. One of the most vulnerable sections of a house to damage is foundation and basement.
Most people concentrate on the upper part of the house for decoration and maintenance neglecting the foundation. The foundation and lower parts get damaged if their problems are avoided for long. Your house’ foundation, therefore, requires maintenance at regular intervals due to many factors.
Here are the 5 primary things that call for foundation repair in your house.
1. Water
Water is one of the most dangerous things when it comes to foundation damage. Seepage of water makes the foundation walls weak and crack. The concrete gets dampened and frail. These things happen mainly due to heavy rainfall and inadequate waterproofing.
Foundation repair becomes crucial to protect the lower parts of the house. Avoiding these may lead to massive damage.
2. Poor Drainage
Drainage is an important part of any household. Taking away the excess water is crucial to maintaining the house in a proper condition. If the gutters are clogged and downspouts in wrong arrangement the Continue reading →
Your worst fear… do you need foundation repair?
As a homeowner regular home maintenance is important to keep your home
safe and sound. Part of the job includes inspecting your home regularly
to see if it’s showing any signs of wear and tear. One serious issue that
homeowners worry about is getting a crack in their foundation. But how would you know if
you see
signs you need foundation repair?
Here are some signs you need foundation repair to look for.
1) Having trouble opening/closing windows. – Many times if the foundation settles it can
cause a crack that shifts the foundation of the house. This can cause windows that once
closed and opened easily to get stuck.
2) Seeing cracks on the outside off your home. Did you spot a new crack in exterior of your home?
If so a foundation crack may be to blame.
3) Seeing a shift in your floors. Was your once even floor seem like it has a bump or slope to it?
You may need a foundation repair to fix it.
4) Gaps around door, window and garage frames. If you see a new space, it could be due to a shift
in the foundation or a crack. Time to have a professional check out your foundation so you can be sure.
Continue reading →
Spring is coming! Soon we will find out whether the Groundhog sees his shadow and if it’s six more weeks of winter or if spring is on it’s way. It’s Spring Cleaning time! As the weather warms up outside, it’s the perfect time to head outside for some basic home maintenance.
1) Walk around your home. Look outside at the foundation to see if you can spot any cracks. Also do a visual inspection from the basement to look for any cracks that may appear in walls, especially over doorways, windows, or where walls meet ceilings.
2) Gutter time. Now that the ice and snow is gone, grab a ladder and check your gutters. Make sure they are clear of leaves and debris. Also clear any blockage by downspouts.
3. Look for soil grading issues around your home. Water should be able to drain away from your home. If the sloping has worn away, water will pool and may seep into your home and cause cracks in the foundation.
4. Pest proof. If the thought of spiders running up your wall makes your shiver, you may want to pest proof your home from the outside. To prevent outside pests from entering your home, look for cracks and holes on the
Continue reading →
Your home has the support it needs to withstand decades upon decades of pressure, when it is set on a solid foundation. There is a long list of problems the can build up over time if your house’s foundation is not set properly. Simply stated, your house settles when the soil beneath it is unable to support your home’s weight. A sinking foundation is one problem that can occur if the foundation is laid improperly or on unstable soil. This can also be related to changes in the soil beneath your home. Maryland’s clay soils are problematic for foundations looking for secure footing. When clay soil holds water, it expands. When clay soil is dry, it shrinks. This creates a chaotic atmosphere for a foundation looking for stability. Your foundation could also be on shaky ground if the fill soil beneath your home is not properly compacted. Sinking foundations need to be addressed as soon as they are noticed to help prevent future damage to your home. Continue reading →
The structural integrity of your home’s foundation is crucial to the safety of your family and the protection of your assets. If you find your basement walls have started to bow, you may be in some serious trouble. At the first sign of bowing you need to call a foundation expert to help diagnose the problem and find an immediate solution. Basement walls can bow for a myriad of reasons, here are the five most common: Continue reading →
