What Kind of Foundation Damage Can Occur?

Your foundation is more sensitive to damage than you might think. Should you leave it unprotected, you may find yourself facing problems such as: 

• Foundation cracks. Hydrostatic pressure around your foundation can cause the materials therein to rapidly expand and contract. To keep up with those changes, your foundation may crack, causing your HVAC unit to work less effectively and generally disrupting the overall structural integrity of your home. While you can live safely in a home with a cracked foundation, leaving the foundation with its crack in place can cost you more money in the long run than it might to invest in an immediate fix. 
• Foundation leaks. A cracked foundation doesn’t always leak, but foundation leaks can often be traced back to foundation cracks. If you do not work to repair a broken foundation before a significant amount of rain or snow, you may find yourself contending with interior water damage on top of the damage done to your foundation. 
• Foundation settling. If your foundation cracks on one side but not the other, it may begin to settle or otherwise sink into the ground, as its structural supports won’t be able to hold up its weight. 
• Foundation bowing. In a similar vein, a damaged foundation can cause your home’s flooring to sag and walls to bow, leaving the floor weakened and often unsafe to walk on. 

If you find yourself concerned about what kind of damage might befall your foundation, you can work with a professional contractor in your area to determine what the current state of your foundation may be. A thorough foundation inspection can help you better understand whether or not your home may already be suffering from damage. If it is, you can discuss potential fixes right off the bat. If it is not, you can instead discuss what preventative measures may best help you protect your space.