Reliable foundation repair companies can save cost in the long run
by Larry Taggart Article writerThere are several Toledo, Ohio-based companies that have been
providing foundation repair and basement waterproofing services to the
residents. Not all of them are well equipped or experienced to take up
the jobs and you should select the company carefully so that it saves
your property in the long run. Rely on the engineers who would spend
adequate time to diagnose the underlying problem and then only recommend
a solution. Their service should be professional, timely and
competitive.
In most of the cases the reasons for foundation
failure are interdependent. If the building has been built on clay soil,
it may shrink due to change in temperature and moisture levels.
Improper maintenance can also cause foundation failure. If the soil is
not strong enough and either compressive in nature or not properly
compacted, the strength of the foundation can be compromised. Often,
there are environmental factors, like precipitation levels and presence
of organic material in the soil can cause foundation failure.
Vertical
movement in foundations and walls due to frost and freezing climate can
also cause severe failure. Differential settlement damages the
foundation and that can be identified by observing the cracks. Usually
these cracks are vertical, diagonal or stair stepped. Uniform building
settlement, on the other hand happens when an entire building moves
either up or down together. In this case, minimum foundation cracking
takes place but the mechanical connections of the building become prone
to damages.
Vertical shrinkage can cause cracks in the foundation
walls. These cracks look almost uniform in width. Earthquake or storm
may damage the building and these failures are quite complex as the
structure moves in different directions. The process of foundation
repair has to be different in all these cases and the engineers should
be well aware of the necessary techniques. Horizontal movement in
building foundations can also cause considerable damage to the
foundation. When the walls or the structure moves sideways due to
external lateral force it leads to cracks. The structure may lean
towards one side due to such movements.
Likewise, basement
waterproofing is a highly technical process and the reason for water
seepage to the basement should be identified first. Also, you should
contact the service provider immediately after spotting the signs of
water seepage. Even a hair line crack can worsen the situation. Soon you
will find the room to develop signs of deterioration. Water may enter
the basement in many possible ways. It can be due to natural disasters
and aging of the structure. If the problem is not plugged immediately,
it may lead to severe structural damage. If there is a hole in the pipe
or when the basement walls are surrounded by moisture, water will soon
start seeping in through the cracks of the walls.
So, basement
waterproofing, crack repair and moisture control should go hand in hand
with foundation repair. Otherwise, one would lead to the other and your
property will be damaged within no time. Settlement of the foundation
due to cracks can be stopped and repaired easily if timely measures have
been taken.
The reason for damage should be identified first before taking up the job of foundation repair. At the same time you may ask your contractor to carry out the job of basement waterproofing.
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Created on Nov 12th 2017 09:55. Viewed 421 times.