Importance of Building Foundation Repair
Foundation and drainage system problems can create a huge array of problems for your home, but very few of them are as frustrating as foundation repair. Cracks, sinking, and settling of different parts of your building can be signs that your foundation needs to be inspected. Sinking or settling of certain parts of your structure are often caused by the kind of foundation that holds the building up, including concrete, soil, or a basement. If this sounds like the case in your home, you should call a foundation specialist to come out and take a look. These professionals have the knowledge and experience to help you determine what is going on and to suggest ways of addressing the problem.
Most people try to ignore foundation repair when they notice small cracks in their homes, but the longer these problems go unchecked, the more detrimental they become. Cracks in your floor joists and walls are a sign of poor structural integrity, since the floor will begin to buckle and eventually collapse. The opposite is true for ceilings, with stagnant water causing them to sag and eventually fall. Both of these issues, along with a lack of maintenance to drainage systems and elevators, can lead to foundation damage which can lead to many other building foundation repair issues as well.
You don’t have to live with structural damage, decay, and instability – you can get it fixed. You can call us to come out and inspect your entire building to make sure that all of your structural elements are sound. Many of the problems that occur can be easily traced back to poor upkeep, so the sooner you call a professional, the better. Once you have determined that you need repairs, you’ll need an estimate of how much work will be required.
For over 30 years Atlas Piers of Atlanta has exclusively installed Steel Foundation Products and Shoring Systems to lift and or permanently stabilize building foundations throughout the Southeast We are Atlanta’s premium foundation repair, underpinning and soil shoring specialists, you can find our services at this website.
In order to determine how much foundation repair you’ll require, you must first take an inventory of your structural elements. Note the condition of any existing cracks or gaps, as well as any visible signs of degradation such as rotted areas, potholes, and loose floorboards. Next, check to make sure that all foundations have been level, and that the slope of all roads and garages is stable. After you have assessed your foundation problems, you’ll be better prepared to choose the best course of action for repairing the issues.
If you discover that there are cracks or gaps in the walls or floors, your next step will be to determine whether the crack or gap is actually a foundation issue, or whether it is the result of something else. For example, if you have found a crack in the drywall, there’s a chance that it’s the result of improper installation, so you should consider calling a pro to repair the problem. However, if you’ve discovered the crack in the drywall after upgrading the property to a newer model, chances are good that you made the mistake of installing the wall too tight and may have to do some extra patching work. Similarly, if you notice a small gap in the roof, it could be the result of flashing that was not installed properly or a weak spot that requires filling in to make it more secure. In this case, it would be a good idea to hire a foundation repair specialist to address the problem.
Unfortunately, if you find significant cracks in your historic home’s walls or flooring, it would probably be necessary to replace portions of the structures. This might be a complex and labor-intensive project, so it’s important to take several factors into consideration before choosing a contractor to handle the repairs. For one thing, historical home contractors will likely be licensed and insured, so ask for references from past customers. Also, ask about the frequency of repairs, and whether the buildings were intentionally maintained according to building codes at the time they were built. Finally, inquire about the likelihood of encountering other issues regarding your historic home’s foundations, such as leaks, cracks, or other defects.
