The foundation lies at the heart of any house in Baltimore and the surrounding areas. It protects the home from various concerns, such as soil shifts, and helps deliver proper insulation.
However, foundations aren’t impervious to damage. A common concern is leaks, possibly from a broken pipe or a cracked foundation that allows moisture into the house. They usually develop under concrete slabs and can be caused by several factors, including pipe breaks and erosion.
Initially, a foundation leak isn’t an emergency repair. However, the leak can impact the family’s safety as it grows by weakening the house’s structural elements. It also increases the risk of mold, which may be a health concern.
In the event of a slab leak, homeowners should contact a reputable company to make the repairs. Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake has the tools and experience to repair the foundation to prevent further damage.
Before Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake can repair a foundation, we must determine what is causing the problem. We check the property for tell-tale signs of foundation leaks. There are some signs that are indicative of a slab leak. Homeowners who are aware of them may be able to prevent significant damage to their homes. Look for:
Water pressure drop: If there’s a sudden drop in water pressure, it could indicate a foundation leak. Some water leaves the system to flow towards the foundation crack rather than going to the bathroom or kitchen.
Higher water bills: Foundation leaks that result from a broken water line typically lead to higher water bills. Even if the owner doesn’t consume more water than usual, it flows constantly. Over time, this can cost the resident thousands of dollars if unresolved.
Mold: A foundation leak might not always release water into the surrounding soil. Water ending up in another part of the house is much more common. If it lingers there, it provides ideal conditions for mold, triggering many health concerns.
Rotten carpet tack strip: Wooden tack strips along the perimeter of a room keep the carpet in place. However, they can’t do their job if they’re waterlogged. Moisture from a foundation leak can weaken the seal and rot the strips.
Pooling water: Sometimes, water from a foundation leak has nowhere to go but up. Consequently, it pools in different parts of the property, such as in the backyard or inside the house. The longer the water accumulates, the greater the risk of diminished structural integrity.
Warped floors: Water can damage wooden floors, causing them to warp and buckle. In a worst-case scenario, planks can break and cause a significant safety hazard. Any moisture-related floor damage may point to a foundation leak.
Wall plate anchors are generally used to shore up bowing basement walls that pose a structural risk. A plate is installed on the inside of the basement wall. This plate is attached to a plate anchored several feet away from the exterior of the basement wall. The tension between the two plates pulls the wall back upright, reinforcing the basement wall.
Another way to remedy a structural foundation crack is to use a helical tieback anchor. They’re as effective as wall plate anchors but easier to install since they don’t need the exterior component. Instead, Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake drills a hole inside the foundation and inserts an anchor. We twist the anchor to strengthen the wall and close the cracks.
If the crack is a non-structural concern, there are simple ways to close it, sealing the property from moisture. The most common method is epoxy sealing. The epoxy is injected directly into the hole, where it expands and seals the gap.
Foundation leaks may seem challenging to diagnose and harder to repair, but not for Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake. Our experts have dealt with hundreds of leaks in Baltimore and the surrounding areas. Our clients will be assured that we can repair their home’s foundations.
Open 24/7
Serving Baltimore and the Surrounding Area
Accuratebuildersofchpk1@gmail.com
Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake provide foundation, basement, and crawlspace installation and repair for the greater Baltimore area homeowners.
