A strong and sturdy foundation is the key to a strong house. Without a strong foundation, your house will never be safe. However, the foundation can drag, sink or settle over a period of time due to a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it happens due to excessive moisture and at other times, there are issues with the soil. At times, the foundation isn’t prepared property that leads to safety issues at a later stage. In such cases, the house will start tilting and that will lead to development of cracks in the walls and certain other issues.

Some of the common signs of problem with the foundation of your house include doors not shutting or opening properly, cracks in the walls, cracks on the outside, floor feeling softer than normal and other such things. If you are experiencing these signs, it is time to call in a professional and get the foundation checked for problems.

Ideally, foundation slabs should be a maximum of 1.5 inches out of level as this is the standard given by the American Concrete Institute. Foundation repair or foundation leveling entails getting the house back to its original level. Small variations in the foundation levels are rarely noticeable but if it’s not repaired in time, it can lead to some dangerous situations. Therefore, you should immediately call in a professional to check for issues with house leveling in case you notice any of the signs mentioned above.

House Foundation Types

Foundations are of many types including a concrete slab foundation as well as a pier & beam foundation.

A concrete slab foundation is made of a large sheet of concrete poured directly on the ground. It is typically around 4 to 6 inches thick. Around the perimeter of the house, slab is kept 2 to 3 feet deep as that is where the majority of the weight of the house rests. The center of this concrete slab is strengthened with the help of beams crisscrossing the middle, like a waffle. For reinforcement, rebar or post-tension cables are used.

In case of a pier & beam foundation, a parameter made of concrete is first constructed around the house. Inside this parameter, concrete columns are installed at a distance of about 8 to 10 feet. On these interior columns, wooden beams are placed and on these beams, the house rests. A pier & beam foundation is costlier as compared to a concrete slab foundation and it is typically used for making custom houses and in cases where the home needs to be higher such as in a floodplain.

Methods of House Leveling

The method of house leveling depends on the type of foundation. Furthermore, a foundation can be leveled using a variety of methods depending on the actual cause of the foundation issues.

In case of a pier & beam foundation, repair and leveling is usually done by installation of concrete piling or steel pilings at key locations. In the interiors, adjustment is made by addition or removal of shims at the top of the concrete pads. In case the foundation movement is due to damaged or improperly installed wood, it will need different methods of repairs.

In case of a slab foundation made of concrete, the repair methods used include installation of steel pilings, concrete pilings or concrete piers. Sometimes, soil injections are also used to prevent soil issues. Certain other methods are also used by contractors to level the house.

To conclude, a house foundation can get damaged due to a variety of reasons. Thankfully, affordable foundation repair methods are available today that allow homeowners to get their house back to the original level. If you are facing any issues with house leveling or foundation cracks, you should immediately get in touch with a reputable foundation repair contractor in your location to get it repaired at the earliest.