A Foundation Can Be Damaged by Water
Are you aware that the typical US home weighs between 80 and 160 tons? The foundation must be added on top of that, weighing seven and a half tons. The foundation is an important part of your house’s overall structure. The foundations offer a level surface on which to build a house. They also serve as insulators and prevent moisture from entering the house.
You shouldn’t judge a structure by its outside aspect. The structure of the foundation will survive the test of time. Therefore, the query is: Can water harm a foundation?
Your home’s structural integrity may be compromised by water damage to the foundation. In extreme cases, it may cause the home to collapse due to fissures and bowed walls.
Do you have any concerns about how water can affect a house’s foundation? Continue reading if so.
A Foundation Can Be Damaged by Water
There are several ways that water damage to a house’s foundation can happen. Both the effects and the therapies vary widely.
It’s never fun to find that anything might endanger the foundation of your home in any way. To prevent exacerbating a bad situation, it is crucial to comprehend the facts and take corrective action as soon as you can.
Let’s start by going through the main effects that water has on the soil around a house. This frequently causes the home’s foundation to suffer severe damage.
1. Hydrostatic Pressure, often known as the Force Exercised by Water on a Surface
The force that water applies to a surface is known as hydrostatic pressure.
The above-mentioned conditions can cause water to pool around a home, which puts “hydrostatic pressure” on the structure’s foundation. It’s hazardous. As a result of this pressure, foundations may crack and distort, which can cause foundation leaking.
expanded soils
Nearly every state has expansive soils. Minerals in expansive soil are capable of absorbing water. The volume of the soil will rise in direct proportion to the amount of water absorbed.
These soils exert pressure on the foundation, resulting in cracks in the walls or floor. However, it should go without saying that as porous soil begins to dry up, it shrinks.
Houses are under stress as a result of this repeated cycle of expansion and contraction. Water mitigation at the foundation is crucial since the resulting damage might get worse over time.
According to geology.com, expanding soils do more financial harm in the US than hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods combined.
Soil erosion
The soil that supports the foundation may eventually be gradually washed away over time by rainfall or underground springs. The foundation’s settlement is a result of erosion.
Early foundation settling typically doesn’t show any obvious symptoms. The typical homeowner may conveniently ignore them until they become severe enough to require expert care.
Keep a Firm Foundation
We addressed the query, “Can water harm a foundation? in this article.
We’ve also described how you can handle it and avoid having to do expensive house repairs.
Just keep in mind that your foundation may have a few small fractures. However, you should be concerned about foundation water damage if you notice multiple fractures or objects that are starting to shift.
Although you have no control over how the weather may affect your foundation, you can prevent it by using the above advice. The most crucial thing to remember is to act fast and get in touch with RLM Retrofit Foundation for a Foundation Inspection Encino if you suspect foundation water damage.
