When was the last time you thought about the foundation of your home? Though it may be out of sight, don’t let it slip your mind. Foundation issues can cause a lot of damage and a lot of headaches for you and your family. When you notice a foundation problem, it may be tempting to put off the foundation repair in Springfield, MO. After all, the foundation has held the house for this long. What’s a few more months, right? 88% of homeowners did at least one major home improvement or repair in 2018, and it’s understandable that if you’ve already done one, you’re in no hurry to do another.
Unfortunately, delaying foundation repairs can have serious consequences. Here’s how to tell if you’re having problems with your foundation and why you should never wait to deal with them.
What Is a Foundation?
The foundation of your house is probably the most important part that you may have never seen. Foundations are typically made of concrete and sit under the ground. They are the load-bearing part of your house, meaning that it bears the weight of the house as it sits on top of the foundation.
Foundations are necessary because without one, the house will fall. Dirt tends to move around quite a bit, especially after weather events or due to erosion, and if your home doesn’t have something solid to stand on, it will not remain standing for very long.
Common Missouri Foundation Problems
Fun fact: The nature of foundation problems will depend on where you live.
Different areas of the world have different soil makeups. Some regions may have clay in the soil, others may be more acidic, and of course, the landscape will also affect your foundation. You’ll have different things to watch out for if you live on a hill rather than flat ground. Here in Missouri, though we have fairly flat ground, our soil also contains plenty of clay. Since clay expands with water and contracts during dry weather, it may press in on your foundation, causing cracks and leaks.
What to Watch Out For
There are a few telltale signs that your foundation needs to be repaired. The first and most obvious is that your walls may crack. If you notice a crack in the wall, especially a diagonal one or one that seems to be getting bigger, that’s a clear warning sign that you’ve got a foundation problem. Sagging or sinking floors or ceilings are other warning signs that may point to foundation issues. If a foundation is weakening, it will cause walls and support beams to move or slowly cave in, affecting the way the house’s weight is distributed and leading to saggy spots.
The way the home sits will also affect your doors and windows, so if doors are getting stuck or your windows are suddenly difficult to open, this may be a sign that your house is settling due to a foundation problem. Finally, if you notice increased moisture or a musty smell in your basement, check the walls. The water may be coming from the ground outside the basement and seeping through cracks in the foundation.
Can Foundation Repairs Wait?
Any problem with your home can be overwhelming and stressful, so waiting to fix it is understandable. Some home improvement projects or repairs can be put off by a few months or even years. Unfortunately, that is not the case with foundation repairs, which should be addressed as soon as possible since they tend to have a domino effect on the rest of the home. Not only does the foundation itself get worse over time, but you could end up with a plethora of other things to deal with by the time you get around to fixing it.
The cost of a foundation repair may be intimidating at first, but it’s an investment in the well-being of your home. It’s much more practical to pay for the foundation repair itself as soon as possible than to have to deal with water damage, mold growth, bugs coming through the cracks, warped floors and walls, and more later on.
In addition to these other problems causing stress and more expenses, you may have to wait to do additional repairs until several weeks after the foundation is fixed. This is due to the fact that after a foundation repair in Springfield, the house will need to settle and self-adjust.
What Can I Expect from a Foundation Repair Company?
Some people put off foundation repairs because they’re not sure what to expect. Will you have to leave your home during the repair? Will it be an expensive project? How does the process work?
First, you’ll call the foundation repair company and tell them you need an assessment. They’ll send someone out to take a look at the damage. After they perform an inspection, the company will let you know what’s going on with your foundation and how they plan to fix it. They will then give you a quote for the work. If you accept the quote, they’ll begin work. You likely will not have to leave your home during the repair process.
Over the past few decades, foundation repairs have become much less disruptive to homeowners’ daily lives. You may want to head out for a few hours to avoid noise or dust, but you shouldn’t need to stay somewhere overnight.
Does Insurance Cover Springfield Foundation Repairs?
Cost is a major factor in deciding when to have foundation repairs done, so you might be wondering whether it’s a cost that your insurance will cover. The answer to that will depend on what caused the foundation issues. Some natural disasters, such as tornadoes, are covered.
However, foundation problems due to lack of maintenance or other natural disasters such as mudslides, floods, or earthquakes are usually not covered. You would need specific flood insurance or earthquake insurance for floods and earthquakes, as those events are not typically covered under regular homeowners’ insurance.
Calling on a Foundation Repair Specialists
Foundation repair in Springfield, MO, is crucial to the stability and safety of your home. When you need to get your foundation back to its original condition, it’s always better to do it sooner rather than later. The upfront cost may be intimidating, but it will save you a ton of cash in the long run. An expert must always handle foundation repairs. So, make sure you choose a reputable company that you can trust.
