There are many kinds of concrete and foundation damage. Your house may even suffer from one kind of concrete damage without your knowledge. This is because, unknown to some people, concrete has a lifespan. You actually need to maintain it or it loses its integrity along its life. Even a little crack on a concrete wall can mean something else entirely. A little crack can be a sign of a structural damage or nothing at all. This is why it is important to diagnose any kind of concrete issue because even the littlest cracks can be dangerous to your safety.
It is important to fix any foundation damage as soon as you spot them. The earlier you spot them, the better. The key here is to stay ahead of the game. Fix the damage before it becomes too big to control. There are many homeowners who just ignored their foundation, thinking that it’ll last a lifetime. Little do they know about proper concrete and foundation maintenance. A huge part of being an homeowner lies on being able to maintain your home and any structure on your property.
Obvious signs of structural problem
Unfortunately, there aren’t any simple checklist that allows you to check if your concrete wall is up for repair. A simple crack can mean nothing. Maybe it’s just the outer shell that’s damaged. You really can’t tell though because the same crack can run deep into the structure.
The most obvious signs of structural problem are bowing and cracking that worsens overtime. If you notice a simple crack on your concrete wall, that isn’t a cause for alarm. For the reasons stated above, a simple crack may mean nothing. The problem is when these cracks start to grow overtime. If you notice that the cracks are getting longer by the day, you need to check for structural damage immediately. Another obvious sign is when you see a leak through the cracks. This means that the crack is deep enough to damage the structural integrity of the concrete.
If you also notice sudden changes in the way your door and window operates, perhaps they squeak when they don’t normally, it’s another sign that the concrete is giving out. The concrete may be placing additional stress to the door which makes it hard to open and close. If you fail to fix this problem right away, you are putting your life in danger. You’ll never know when a concrete would give way. Just do the right thing and consult a professional right away.
Steps to take for foundation and concrete issues
The best course of action is to seek help from professionals. If you want to ensure the safety of your home, you need to hire a concrete repair company to check your foundation. They will test the strength of your foundation and make repairs if need be. They will also give you advice on how to maintain your foundation. Overall, it is a good idea to hire a concrete repair company since they can provide you with many benefits.