The foundation of your house is the literal backbone of your home. When it becomes unlevel, it can lead to a variety of issues from uneven floors to doors that don’t close properly.
There are several methods for house leveling, and the best method depends on the cause of the issue. To find out more, click on foundation repair Pearland. Here are a few of the most common:
Soil Settlement and Erosion
While some foundation settling is normal, Pearland’s soil conditions create unique challenges for local property owners. The area’s clay-rich soil expands excessively during wet weather and shrinks during dry weather, putting tremendous pressure on concrete slab or pier and beam foundations. This excessive movement results in severe structural issues that can only be corrected by foundation leveling.
Erosion exacerbated by inadequate drainage systems or blocked gutters can also wash away the soil around your home, further damaging the foundation and increasing the risk of water damage. Correct landscaping grading, installing French drains, and planting different plant species can reduce erosion and preserve the stability of your home’s foundation.
Local foundation professionals have a deep understanding of the region’s soil composition and environmental factors that affect stability. They can identify the best soil stabilization techniques for your specific property and execute them quickly and effectively. With their knowledge and expertise, local foundation pros can help you protect your Pearland home’s value and structural integrity.
Pier and Beam Foundations
Pier and beam foundations elevate house structures off the ground, allowing builders to use the underlying land for other purposes. This type of foundation requires less excavation than concrete slabs and it’s easier to add or alter plumbing and electrical wiring. However, the crawl spaces beneath a house built on this type of foundation are havens for termites and other pests. This can lead to damp foundation walls, which eventually rot and weaken the structure.
Moisture is the main reason that pier and beam foundations become prone to sinking and settling. Water can decay the wood pedestals that support the foundation and cause them to swell like a sponge. This can create a chain reaction that impacts the entire structure.
While pier and beam foundations can be difficult to repair, they do offer more flexibility than slab-foundation homes. The crawl space that a pier and beam foundation creates allows for easy access to plumbing and electrical systems, whereas concrete slabs require extensive excavation in order to make repairs.
Structural Integrity
Structural integrity is the ability of a structure or component to hold up to the pressure of a load (including its own weight) without drastic deformation, breakage and catastrophic failure throughout its predicted lifespan. Engineers are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring structures maintain their structural integrity for as long as possible, which is why regular inspections are so important.
If a foundation becomes unlevel, this can put strain on the structure and lead to issues such as sagging floors, cracks in walls and misaligned doors and windows. Addressing these problems early on can prevent them from becoming more pronounced and save you money in the long run.
Maintaining the structural integrity of your home is important for safety and security reasons, but it also helps preserve its value and makes it more appealing to prospective buyers in the future. If you notice any signs of a foundation problem, get in touch with our team of engineers and we can help you level your home and restore its integrity.