There are a number of important concrete areas in nearly all homes or buildings, and one of the single most vital from a structural standpoint will be the foundation. Available in various concrete slab types, concrete foundations are part of the baseline for the entire home’s construction, balance and physical properties.
At Lift-Up Concrete, our concrete lifting and leveling services are often highly valuable for the foundation of your home, business or municipal building. Foundations, like other concrete areas, can be susceptible to cracking, leaking and other forms of damage that can put not only those areas, but the entire building structure itself, at risk. We can also provide valuable expertise on stopping this from happening to begin with – here are several areas where you can be proactive and help limit the risks of foundation damage.
Inspection for Physical Damage
At least once every few months or at minimum twice a year (between changing seasons is always a good time), take a basic walk around the foundation of your home or building and check it for anything that looks unusual. This includes major holes or damage, but also can include smaller hairline cracks or tiny holes that have begun to form in the concrete.
Here’s the thing with these smaller holes and cracks: They won’t stay that way for long. Damaged concrete is just susceptible to being damaged further, as it leaves the interior exposed to the elements. You should also be on the lookout for issues of pest or insect infestation, which can also contribute to deteriorating elements of the foundation and your surrounding structures.
Moisture and Plumbing
These kinds of physical checks are particularly important surrounding storms or other occasions when moisture is present. Water and moisture can cause the expansion and contraction of soil that’s below your foundation, which in turn can put pressure on the concrete itself and lead to the kind of cracks we mentioned above.
Whenever there’s been a recent storm, check your foundation areas for any damage. In addition, during months where you utilize items like sprinklers and hoses, be aware of how your sloping works and ensure water is moving away from the foundation. If upgrades are needed to your drainage system to make sure this is the case, have them handled as soon as possible.
Tree Root Concerns
Tree roots can be issues for several areas of the home, including both main sewer line damage and driveway repair needs in some cases. But they can also impact the foundation – they draw out moisture from the soil, and if they’re too close to foundation areas, they could directly cause the kind of settling we talked about earlier. If you have large trees already on your property near the foundation, consider a root barrier to prevent this concern.
For more on how to protect your home or building’s foundation from cracking or other damage, or to learn about any of our concrete raising services, speak to the pros at Lift-Up Concrete today.
