Are you planning to move to your new home? We recommend getting your foundation inspected thoroughly before the move! Imagine shifting to a new home with a settling foundation. How frustrating would it be? The foundation is the bedrock that keeps the entire building intact, and if you don’t get it repaired on time, it can destroy the entire house. Therefore, it is important to hire foundation repair services before signing your contract with the moving services. In the underlying sections, let’s explore the importance of getting the foundation of your new home inspected and fixed before moving.
Signs of Foundation Issues
First thing first! Before starting the moving process, wall through the foundation of your new abode to look for any signs of damage.
Cracks in Walls
Don’t let the stress of shifting crack the walls of your new home. Look at the foundation walls to notice the cracks. Find answers to these questions:
- Will the cracks widen in the future?
- Are the cracks vertical, diagonal, or horizontal?
Unlevel Floors
Pay attention to the floor underneath your feet as well if the foundation floor is uneven or sloping, your foundation is settling. You can assess the floor in two ways:
- If you place a ball on the foundation floor and it rolls to one side, the foundation is sinking.
- Use a level to check the evenness of the floor.
Sticky Doors / Windows
Sticking doors or windows often represent foundation problems.
Imagine: You have just moved to your new home. You try to shut the windows and doors, but they keep resisting your efforts. How would you feel?
To avoid such a discomforting situation, we recommend you examine the doors and windows properly before finalizing the move.
Cracking or Leaning Chimney
Is the chimney of your new home leaning? Stop the move and get your foundation checked first! Leaning or cracking chimneys often indicate:
- The foundation is shifting (sinking or raising).
- The foundation has not been installed properly.
Popping Nails
Has the nail come out of the drywall? Don’t worry. Take a hammer and fix it again. But wait: Is this happening quite frequently?
If the answer to this question is yes, it is a sign that foundation drywall is shifting. Instantly assess the interior and exterior walls of your foundation for cracks.
Inspect the Foundation Yourself
About to call moving services to begin the move? Wait! Inspect the foundation first. For inspecting the foundation before the move, you can either:
- Hire foundation repair experts to identify and fix the problem, if there is any.
- Perform a DIY inspection to find out potential problems and then contact the experts if there is any foundation issue.
The underlying steps will help you perform a DIY foundation inspection.
External Inspection
Scan the external walls of your sanctuary for cracks and gaps. Remember! Even minor cracks can grow into major problems. For external examination:
- Observe the cracks in natural light-deprived areas of exterior foundation walls using a flashlight.
- Look for trees or plants near the foundation walls. Tree roots cause the soil to move, which ultimately leads to foundation movement.
- Note the location and size of cracks for future information.
Internal Inspection
The second step is to examine the foundation's interior to find the signs of damage. Follow these steps:
- Use a torch to observe the irregularities in walls and floors.
- If you come across musty odors, it means that moisture has started invading the foundation.
- Assess doors and fenestration at different hours of the day. Changes in moisture level and temperature can impact their working.
Moisture Inspection
Water is a silent culprit, so try to figure out water-related problems in the new house.
- Clean the gutters and downspouts to ensure proper diversion of water.
- During the rainy season, check the water flow. If water is not flowing properly and is standing or accumulating around your house, there is a problem.
- Call the experts to identify and fix water-related problems instantly to prevent soil erosion.
Can you do minor foundation repairs yourself?
Yes! Being the owner of your new home, you can fix minor foundation problems yourself. In fact, finding out and eradicating such issues beforehand can save you from massive loss. Let’s see how you can fix minor foundation damage to save your foundation.
Repairing Minor Cracks
For repairing small cracks appearing in foundation walls:
Step 1: Clean the crack to wipe off any debris.
Step 2: Prepare the epoxy resin as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Step 3: Use a putty knife to fill the crack with epoxy resin evenly.
Step 4: Allow it to cure. And the crack is fixed!
Aligning Door and Window Frames
Follow these simple steps to adjust window and door frames.
Step 1: Notice the misaligning door and window frames.
Step 2: Inspect the screws in hinges and hardware. Tighten or replace them if they’re loose or rusty.
Step 3: Adjust the alignment by inserting shims between the door/window and its frame.
Step 4: Open and close the door or window a few times to check if it is working smoothly.
Stabilizing the Soil
For soil stabilization, follow the underlying steps:
Step 1: Identify the areas around your foundation where soil erosion is occurring.
Step 2: Gradually add compressed soil in areas liable to erosion. It will stabilize the soil.
Step 3: Consider planting deep-rooted vegetation as it helps bind the soil.
When Should You Hire Professional Foundation Repair Services?
Although you can repair minor foundation faults yourself, it is better to seek professional help if you want to exterminate the problem. Consider the following factors before hiring foundation fixing experts:
- Level of damage
- Availability of time
- Budget
- The success of DIY fixes
Mostly, DIY repairs fix the problem temporarily. So, if you have enough time and resources before the move, or the problem seems to be severe, it is better to hire experts to fix your foundation.
Conclusion
Before hiring moving services to begin the move, get your foundation examined thoroughly. Perform a DIY foundation inspection, look for the signs of damage, and fix the minor problems yourself. You can also sign a contract with a foundation repair company based on the severity of the foundation problem.
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