The foundation of a house is one of the most critical components to ensure your home lasts for many years. If you have concrete foundations, know that keeping them from leaking or developing cracks can be challenging. This blog post will discuss some common issues with concrete foundations and how you can address them as they come up!

Cracks

Cracks are the most common issue with a foundation. They occur when layers of soil and gravel separate, usually due to heavy rains. If the water table rises suddenly or rapidly from below, this can create pockets under the foundation, where water can seep in. If this happens to your foundation, it’s best to call Concrete Foundations Contractors to fix the problem before the water gets to the walls and stops them from holding. Fill in the affected area with a waterproofing agent, and within a few days, the crack should be gone.

Water Damage

Water damage is another problem that can occur when there is no proper protection from rainwater. As the water gets into the basement, it may freeze, causing pipes to freeze and then burst. If you’re paying a lot of money to put flooring down in your basement, you might want to consider waterproofing it as soon as possible to prevent excess water damage.

Foundation Hole or Cracks

Even if your foundation seems fine, you may have a crack or hole in your wall. There are several causes of a foundation hole or gap, including settling the house during a building process, settling the home after being damaged, expanding the earth around the foundation, and groundwater pressure. A hole in a wall usually indicates water infiltration and can cause excess moisture to get into the house. If this water penetrates enough into the structure, it can lead to structural damage and cause walls to buckle, cave in, or collapse. It’s essential to repair any water penetration holes and cracks on your foundation, as well as any cracks or holes in surrounding structures.

Cracks in concrete are notoriously hard to fix. Most people think they can add a layer of concrete sealer, which will fix any cracking on their own. This isn’t always the case. It’s often tough to even start repairing small cracks because once you’ve begun the work, you’ve only created more work for yourself. You have to patch and repair drainage, waterproofing, etc. So, before starting on any concrete repairs, you need to make sure your Concrete Foundation Contractors can address these more significant issues.

Moistures

You may not think that your furnace needs any help when it comes to addressing common issues with concrete foundations, but it does. Most homes that use concrete for foundations suffer from excess moisture. There’s usually a basement or some structure below ground level that holds the heat, water, and sometimes the fumes from a central air conditioning unit so that excess moisture can build up there. When you get into a home, the excess moisture is often undetected by the naked eye, but you can smell it. If you have an older furnace or poorly maintained furnace, then this extra moisture can cause problems like water damage throughout your house. If you don’t already have a high-efficiency, energy-efficient furnace with a low venting system, then make sure that you get one installed soon.

Clogged Gutter

One of the most common problems with concrete is that the area around it can get so wet, especially during heavy rain or snow. For this reason, it’s essential to make sure your gutters are working correctly and that your downspouts aren’t clogged. If your gutters are clogged with leaves and debris, this will lead to freezes in your sidewalks, affecting how to address common issues with concrete foundations. Another problem with concrete is when it moves. If you have an older house or an apartment building, this can be one of the leading causes of foundation problems.

Concrete foundations involve more than just waterproofing. It would help if you also took preventative measures to keep excess moisture from accumulating. This can be done by regularly cleaning out your gutters, making sure that you have a good seal on the gutter outlets, and using a dehumidifier in your bedroom if you’re going to be sleeping at night. Of course, sealing and protecting your foundation is only half the battle. You also need to make sure that you’re doing all you can to maintain the structural integrity of your home, and that means making sure you don’t let water get inside.