A home’s foundation is vital to the building’s structural integrity, and this is especially true with slab foundations. These thick concrete slabs are poured over a rebar framework.
Although these foundations don’t usually have a basement or crawl space, they have other benefits.
For example, a slab foundation is perfect for homeowners who need to build their houses fast. They don’t take long to dry, allowing builders to move on to other stages sooner. As there is no space beneath a slab foundation, there are a reduced number of entry points for critters and vermin to enter the house.
A slab foundation is strong, but this doesn’t mean the foundation is invulnerable. On the contrary, there can be more than a few causes of various slab foundation problems:
Soil shifts: Some types of soil shift more than others. Foundations built on such soil can move as the ground moves, leading to instability problems and cracks.
Weather fluctuations: Intense weather changes can negatively impact a slab foundation. For example, long periods of drought followed by intense periods of rain can exacerbate soil shifting and bring about large-scale structural damage.
Bad plumbing: Old pipes can’t keep up with the demands of modern households. The more water-reliant appliances, the greater the strain on the water lines. Eventually, they develop cracks, allowing water to undermine the slab foundation.
Workmanship mistakes: The human factor can’t be overlooked. Builders may use improper techniques or the wrong materials when pouring the concrete. They might leave a number of air pockets, which can destabilize the house.
Settling: In addition to shifting, soil settles. As the soil settles, the slab foundation may be less supported. The rate soil settles depends, but the effects usually become noticeable years after the initial construction. If the concrete slab settles significantly, it can no longer support the house sufficiently.
Erosion: If the area experiences heavy rainfall, the ground becomes more prone to erosion. In turn, erosion can weaken concrete slabs, leaving them without any support.
Although homeowners can’t prevent slab problems, they can do much to avoid large-scale damage to their homes. To do so, Baltimore residents should monitor their property for the following signs of slab foundation issues:
Musty smell inside the house: A range of culprits can cause a foul smell inside a home. For example, there could be spoiled food in the fridge or a leaky sink. But if the owner can’t find out where the odor is coming from, they might be dealing with a slab foundation problem.
Cracks: A damaged slab foundation can shift due to reduced stability. As it moves, it puts tremendous pressure on walls, doors, windows, and other parts of the house. The sheetrock around exterior openings can crack, a clear indicator of foundation problems.
Uneven exterior walls: Exterior walls might have been flat initially, but the foundation may have moved since the construction. If the walls are now crooked, the foundation may have shifted due to erosion, soil shifts, or moisture, to name a few.
Soggy floors: Cracks in a concrete s;lab foundation may present as soggy floors. Once moisture accumulates beneath the foundation, it can only go up. It eventually reaches the home’s flooring causing unexplained wet spots.
Pooling water: Water from a foundation leak doesn’t just impact the floors. It can also pool in other parts of the house or outside. So, if the owner notices a large pool outside their home when it hasn’t been raining, there may be a broken water line beneath the foundation.
Doors or windows won’t close: If a door or window doesn’t close, it might be time to replace it. However, if the foundation is the reason it won’t close, then it will need to be repaired. A damaged slab foundation can easily prevent doors and windows from closing completely because the frames are no longer aligned.
Some home improvement projects are straightforward DIY tasks, but slab foundation repairs are not. Fixing a slab foundation requires experience and specialized equipment. Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake has both, so contact us today for help to resolve slab foundation problems.
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Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake provide foundation, basement, and crawlspace installation and repair for the greater Baltimore area homeowners.
