What Does it Mean When a Shift Happens?
/If you are a homeowner in the Niagara area, it is likely that you have heard of or experienced a phenomenon known as a shift or settling of your home. While some settling is normal within the first few years after a home has been built, shifting foundations can cause significant damage that needs to be addressed.
Reasons for a home’s foundation shifting can vary, but the most common reasons include a natural occurrence, a poor construction job, or cracks in the home’s foundation. If you notice a shift occur, it is important to have your foundation inspected for damage and to repair any issues become they lead to bigger problems.
How do you know if your foundation is shifting?
Shifting can happen slowly and gradually, so it’s not always easy to notice. There are, however, symptoms that are easier to spot that could mean your home is shifting. Some of the indications that your home is shifting include:
Burst or damaged water pipes.
Floors start to slant or become uneven.
Cracks appearing on your basement walls
Windows and doors get “sticky” and become difficult to open and close properly.
What causes your foundation to shift?
When the ground under your home’s foundation moves or becomes unstable, it can wreak havoc with the foundation. As it is, the soil is constantly moving; however, if it is too wet or too dry or not compacted properly, this issue becomes even more problematic.
If the property around your home is not graded properly and water flows toward your home instead of away from it, this can also cause the soil to move more and lead to shifting of your foundation. The over-saturated soil with expand and cause pressure on your home’s foundation.
Can I prevent my home from shifting?
While you may not be able to eliminate every potential cause of shifting, there are still some preventative measures that you can take. Make sure that gutters are cleaned on a regular basis and that downspouts direct water well away from your home.
You should also ensure that your lawn is properly graded and that it does not encourage water to pool around your home’s foundation.
Furthermore, if you have any issues with leaky pipes, you should get these repaired right away, as this can also cause foundation damage.
What should I do if I think my home is shifting?
If your home is starting to shift, the problem will only get worse over time if it is not addressed. If you’ve noticed signs of sifting in your Niagara home, you should contact a foundation repair company right away for an inspection.
A foundation repair contractor can diagnose the problem and recommend a course of action. Remember, the early you can intervene, the easier and less expensive the solution usually is.
Contact Foundation Fix today
Have you noticed signs of shifting in your foundation? If so, contact us today to schedule an inspection.
