Condo rooftops and chimneys
/ By Chase Gohl / Signs of Foundation Issues/ / 0 Comments

How Can You Tell if You Have a Healthy Home Foundation?

The foundation is the base your home rests upon. It goes without saying that it’s hugely important, yet, it’s often overlooked because the structure itself is out of sight. There are signs that will let you know that you have a healthy home foundation and that the structure remains capable of supporting your house. If the concrete is in good condition, there should NOT be any:

  • Puddling water adjacent to the home perimeter
  • Doors and windows that do not open and close properly
  • New cracks or existing cracks getting larger on the wall, floor, or ceiling

Even if there are no obvious signs of foundation problems, there may still be lurking damage. You will have to explore deeper to detect the early warning signs.

Check for Pooling Water

We suggest an evaluation of the home exterior for pooling water around the border of the home. Water presence is not a sign of a healthy foundation; ponding water is absorbed by the soil, causing a continuous cycle of expansion and contraction. The soil essentially “heaves”. In turn, this causes the foundation to shift in its place; over time, this leads to the concrete fracturing and even completely splitting apart. This is especially an issue in the North Texas area because the soil in the region is heavily clay and loam-based. These elements are highly porous.

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If water is pooling at the base of your foundation, contact Align Foundation Repair today.

A healthy home foundation should have a functioning drainage system that prevents water from puddling too close to the home. If you see puddles lingering for extended periods following rain, then there may be a backup or other issue with your drain.

Evaluate the Landscape

A landscape rich in foliage substantially adds to the curb appeal. However, think twice before planting trees or shrubs too close to the home. The roots can expand meters in length and steal vital moisture which causes foundation settling. It can also burst an underground pipe, causing a leak that causes the aforementioned soil heaving.

If you want to add trees to your property, then consider this guide:

  • Trees 30-feet tall or less, keep at least 10-feet from home
  • Trees 70-feet tall or more: at least 30-feet from home
  • Trees between 30 and 70-feet, at least 20-feet from home
214-463-2974
Be careful with the roots of your trees. If they’ve come too close to your foundation, contact Align Foundation Repair today.

Cracks in the Home

We mentioned cracks earlier. Seeing a hairline fracture is no immediate cause for alarm, as this may simply be due to the home settling. However, if you see new fissures or existing ones expanding, then that may be signs of the foundation shifting.

We Inspect and Repair Home Foundations

We cannot overemphasize the importance of a healthy home foundation. If it begins shifting or breaking apart, the home itself will incur serious consequences. If you spot any of the signs of a compromised foundation, please give Align Foundation Repair a call and schedule your free evaluation and estimate.

Spot Foundation Problems
/ By Chase Gohl / Signs of Foundation Issues/ 0 Comments

Foundation Problems vs. Foundation Settling: What Is the Difference?

Many customers ask us about the difference between foundation problems vs. settling. Foundations can be constructed in many different ways using piers, spread footings, and pilings, but most homes in Texas are made of concrete poured on steel. Sometimes the foundation settles and remains sturdy for years to come. Other times foundation problems develop that require immediate attention.

A good foundation does more than just hold your house above the ground. It also insulates against the cold, keeps moisture out, and holds fast against the movement of the earth around it.

Our Dallas-Fort Worth area foundation repair services cover Plano, Garland, Arlington and more. Call us today for a free estimate!

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Your foundation should last for years. Contact Align Foundation Repair to keep it that way.

What Is Settling?

“House settling” is a term used to describe natural wear-and-tear of a foundation over time. It’s normal for homes to sink a bit further down into the ground, no matter how well a foundation has been constructed – especially given the climate and soil type of Texas.

Over-excavating and inadequate back-filling can result in some settling, but the biggest contributor is the natural expansion and contraction of the soil. As the clay in our soil gets exposed to cycles of moisture and dryness, some shifting and compacting will inevitably occur.

Roughly one-quarter of all homes in America are affected by this type of settling, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. Many of these homes will be okay, but an estimated 10 percent of these homes will experience severe foundation issues as a result. The rates of occurrence are much higher in the DFW area.

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If your house is settling, contact Align Foundation Repair for maintenance.

House Settling vs. Foundation Problems

Signs of house settling that do NOT necessarily indicate foundation problems include the following.  If you see any of these, do not hesitate to call as it could also be a foundation issue.

  • You observe thin, hairline cracks, less than 1/4 inch wide.
  • Tiny cracks appear in an L-shaped section of foundation or in the mortar between blocks.
  • The cracks in your home do not appear to be growing longer or wider.
  • There are no other warning signs besides a few cracks here and there.

Do You Have A Faulty Foundation?

It can be hard to believe, but brand-new homes sometimes end up with foundation failures within the first five years. We see this a lot of times when a home was built during a particularly rainy season when the soil is as swollen as it can get, followed by a period of extreme drought, where clay can retract, causing the house to plummet up to five inches within a few months.

Get even new foundations diagnosed today.
Contact Align Foundation Repair at 214-463-2974 or online for a free estimate.

Sometimes a home has undiagnosed issues caused by plumbing problems, over-watering plants, or improper sloping and drainage away from the foundation. Contractors can contribute to foundation failure when they rush the curing of the concrete, interrupt the concrete pouring process, or have not firmly tamped down the soil before adding the concrete.

You can tell it is foundation problems vs. settling when:

  • There are wide cracks, greater than ¼ inch in width, or bulging walls.
  • You note jagged cracks running from the foundation at a 45-degree angle.
  • The doors and windows of your home are sticking for no apparent reason.
  • The top story of your home exhibits cracks above door and window frames.
  • There are stair-stepping cracks in the brick veneer of your home.

Worried About Foundation Problems or Settling in Dallas, Tx?

Contact us at Align Foundation Repair to discuss your concerns about possible Dallas foundation problems. A foundation specialist from our family-run business would be happy to come out and take a look, free of charge. We are an A+ Better Business Bureau rated service offering a full range of foundation improvement services to suit your needs and budget.

 

Cracked Ceiling Repair
/ By Chase Gohl / Signs of Foundation Issues/ • / 0 Comments

Ceiling Cracks Offer Important Clues about Your Foundation

Ceiling cracks plague many homes in Plano, Texas, and the surrounding Dallas area. At best, they look unsightly. But at worst, they could flag an issue with your home’s foundation. So what’s really causing those cracks in your ceiling? And perhaps most importantly, what should you do about them?

Types of Ceiling Cracks

It’s important to educate yourself about the different types of cracks and their causes to avoid costly repairs down the road.

Knowing the difference between the types of ceiling cracks can save your home. First, it’s important to realize that all homes will move over time. This movement results from several factors, which we discuss later in this blog. However, cracks usually occur as the byproduct of one of two things:  natural aging or structural damage. Here are some of the most common cracks and what they can reveal.

“Spider Web” Cracks

These cracks have a center point and then spread out in different directions. The good news: these cracks are a regular part of settling and can occur in ceilings, walls, even floors. However, when it comes to spider web cracks, size matters. If the cracks are small, there isn’t much to get anxious about. On the other hand, if they are more than 1/16 inch wide, there could be a more significant structural problem.

Matching Vertical Cracks

Those cracks which run across the length of a ceiling and then continue down a wall along the same line point to structural damage, likely connected to a weak wall stud or something that was knocked loose in the settling of the home over time. Once again, size is relevant here.

Cracks along the Edges

Cracks along the edges of walls are usually the result of normal settling. You don’t have to be hyper-vigilant about these, but as a precaution, it’s a smart idea to mark where they start and finish so that you can monitor any growth. It’s those cracks that run across the entire length of the ceiling that can signal trouble. In these extreme cases, one or more foundation adjustment services may be necessary to avoid further damage and dangerous instability.

Causes of Ceiling Cracks

What causes cracks in ceilings? Now that you’re informed about the primary kinds of ceiling cracks, let’s take a look at some of the causes and how they impact your ceilings.

Moisture

One of the most common reasons is massive moisture damage from above the ceiling. Depending on which floor of your home you’re talking about, this could mean moisture has seeped into the floor above the ceiling. If it’s the upper level of your home, this may point to damage to the roof. Other sources may include plumbing leaks from the floor above. Significant changes in temperature can lead to cracks. As the air warms, building materials in your home will expand because they are exposed to excess moisture. Conversely, as the temperature drops, they will contract. Switching between hot and cold can put stress on the ceiling materials and joints, and lead to cracking.

Too Much Weight

A cracked ceiling either has another floor or attic space directly above it. So it’s entirely possible that the area above the ceiling is carrying too much weight. Prime examples are upper-level bathrooms; they need specific ceiling supports to bear the heavy weight of fixtures. Shortcuts taken during construction could lead to sagging or cracking.

Inferior Foundation

What do cracks in the ceiling mean for the future of your home’s foundation? A substandard foundation can cause a variety of structural problems, including damage to the ceiling. Remember this: the integrity of the foundation affects every component of your house. The minutest movement or settling in the foundation can alter load-bearing beams and cause small or large cracks.

Contact Align Foundation Today

Cracks in the ceiling aren’t just ugly to look at. They might also mean your home’s foundation is at risk. When in doubt, contact the foundation repair experts at Align Foundation Repair. We know when a crack is a minor aesthetic problem and when it could be something more serious! If you would like a free professional evaluation and estimate of your foundation in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, contact us today and ensure a solid foundation for the future of your home.