5 Signs You Need Foundation Crack Repair in Columbia MO

Your home is the most expensive investment you’ll ever make and the most important. That’s why you should work hard to protect it. One of the ways you can do this is by paying close attention to any signs that your home’s foundation may have issues. In houses in Columbia, MO, basement foundations are one of the most common and can become severely damaged if problems aren’t resolved promptly.

There are a wide variety of things that could impact your foundations, such as soil, climate, plumbing leaks, poor soil compaction, and inadequate foundation drainage. Like many parts of the United States, the weather in Columbia, MO, can have excessive heat, rain, flooding, plus ice and snow. Fortunately, We can resolve foundation issues for both residential and commercial buildings quickly.

If you have any concerns about your foundation, you should contact a professional crack repair company in Columbia, MO. A good contractor will thoroughly inspect your concrete slab, pier, and beam foundation, or basement and discuss with you any damage they found and the best way to resolve it. If you discover any signs of foundation issues, it’s essential to call a foundation repair company before the damage worsens. For more resources, please visit https://columbiafoundationrepairandwaterproofing.com/.

Differences Between Structural and Non-Structural Cracks

Non-Structural Cracks

Non-structural cracks appear in your foundation but don’t affect the structural integrity of your home. There are many reasons why non-structural cracks appear, such as:

• Weather conditions
• Temperature changes
• Moisture content changes during dry seasons
• Subpar initial construction
• Poor concrete mix
• Rapid curing
• Foundation shifting
• Hydrostatic pressure
• Tree roots or vegetation

A Columbia foundation crack repair expert should still monitor Non-structural cracks because what starts as a minor issue can turn significant quickly, especially if water starts seeping in eroding the inner concrete.

Structural Cracks

A wide variety of issues can cause structural cracks, including:

• Poor soil bearing
• Overloading
• Swollen soil
• Poor construction sites

Structural cracks are accompanied by issues inside of your home like:

• Doors that stick
• Sloping floors
• Cracks that extend into the corners of your windows and doors
• Cupboards or paneling pulling away from the wall

Structural cracks are usually easy to identify. They can take on many shapes and sizes, like horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or look like stair steps in foundation blocks. They are most often found in foundation walls, beams, or slabs. Typically, they will extend into the walls inside of the home. These cracks generally are over ⅛” wide.

The main thing to remember about these two types of cracks is that Professionals can watch non-structural cracks while structural cracks should be repaired quickly.

Signs You Must Call A Foundation Crack Repair Professional

1.  Interior Sheetrock Or Drywall Cracks

There are many reasons you may find cracks in your drywall, like moisture in high humidity climates, such as in Columbia, MO, the water damage that occurs due to roof leaks, or curing or drying of concrete. Drywall cracks around the corners of windows or doors are often a sign your foundation is moving, and you should call a foundation crack repair company in Columbia MO to have it inspected.

Signs of Drywall Cracks That May Indicate Foundation Issues

• If the crack is wider than ⅛ of an inch wide
• If the crack is horizontal or angled
• If the gap becomes wider
• If the cracks are near windows or doors
• If the crack resembles stair steps

2.  Poor Water Drainage

Water is one of the primary reasons for foundation problems, and if you’ve noticed that you have standing water outside of your home or near your foundation, it’s a sign you need to repair the foundation in Columbia, MO. Standing water creates pressure against your home’s foundation, leading to cracks.

Reasons You May Have Standing Water Around Your House

• Clogged low-point drain
• Leaking pipes
• Foundation cracks
• Foundation vents
• Too much moisture in the ground

3.  Damp Crawl Space or Basement

Moisture in a crawl space or basement can signify that the foundation has problems or will develop them soon. It’s crucial to find the cause why your house’s foundation is wet and then take steps to fix it. Keep in mind that a damp crawl space can lead to termites, many different types of pests, and even mold, which can cause health problems. 

If you live in Columbia, MO, you may not live in an area where it frequently flooks, but you do have a lot of heavy rains that can affect your drainage system. You may want to talk to a foundation repair company about installing a surface drain or French drain to eliminate water pooling around your home.

4.  Foundation Settling or Sinking

Settling is when gradual changes take place in a foundation over time. The most common reasons for settling are weather conditions and time. It’s normal for new homes to adjust to soil composition and climate, naturally causing homes to sink over time. However, sometimes settling and sinking can be cause for concern. If you notice cracks wider than an ⅛ of an inch, you should call a professional to have your foundation inspected and any damage fixed. 

5.  Foundation Upheaval

Foundation upheaval is the opposite of sinking and is when your house starts pushing upwards. Heaving typically affects the concrete foundation under your home, but it can also impact the interior, including hallways, doorways, and other areas. Outside garage doors are frequently pushed upwards too.

There are many causes of foundation upheaval in concrete and slab foundations, most often soil expansion and contraction caused by frequent changes in the weather. Plumbing leaks are another common cause that can trap moisture under your foundation. You may notice a sudden increase in your utilities. The weight of the soil can be enough to raise your foundation upwards. When the foundation shifts, basement walls can start to bow and shift, while slab foundations will quickly develop cracks.

What To Do If Foundation Crack Repairs in Columbia Are Needed?

The foundation repair company will provide you with an estimate of the cost and what work is needed to restore it with foundation crack repair in Columbia, MO. Sometimes, all you need is polyurethane injections, while other times, you may need something more extensive like french drains. From minor repairs to large ones, an expert will help you through each step of the process.