Top 4 Mistakes That Lead To Foundation Repair Issues
Your home is your castle, and this winter it’s likely been a fortress against the cold and the snow. The polar vortex and several winter storms have made it a challenging winter to live in the northeast, and areas from Virginia to New Jersey have dealt with a lot. And while staying warm, dry, and safe is important, you also need to make sure that your home is protected. Needing foundation repair is a serious expense that can come with a lot of additional headaches and hassles.
At AA Action Waterproofing, we believe that preventing foundation repair is much better than actually letting things get to the point that it’s required. Some simple maintenance is often all it takes to get the job done and prevent serious repairs completely. But you also need to understand a few of the mistakes homeowner make that lead to foundation issues. Here are 4 big ones you don’t want to make:
1. Assuming That Winter Doesn’t Matter – Winter isn’t usually the time that people think about their foundation. And in fact, it’s easy to assume that winter doesn’t really have any impact on your foundation at all. But the freeze/thaw cycle can do some serious damage, and it’s important that you take the time to prevent serious issues over the winter.
2. Ignoring The Need For Waterproofing – Waterproofing is often something that is done during new construction and never thought of again. It’s sometimes regarded as an avoidable expense. But it can help prevent major repairs and mold issues, and as such it’s well worth making sure your basement or crawlspace is completely waterproofed.
3. Slope And Grading Issues – Not all graders are created equally. Especially in some of the Northeast’s older properties, land may be sloped in such a way that water from rain or snow melt actually moves towards your basement instead of away from it. In these instances, the problems can add up quickly.
4. The “I Don’t See It” Mistake – Perhaps the biggest mistake homeowners make when it comes to foundation repair prevention is the ‘I don’t see it’ mentality. In other words, they assume that if they don’t see water rushing into their basement through the foundation, there isn’t a problem. But usually, problems start small. Even hairline cracks or one drop per hour leaks are enough to cause serious issues, and as such you need to let a pro take a look to make sure no damage exists. Just because you don’t see a problem doesn’t mean one isn’t there.
Don’t make the mistakes listed above. They can end up costing you big money. Preventative measures are always cheaper than major foundation repair, so be sure to consider getting help with your foundation. Our experts at AA Action Waterproofing can help make sure you don’t have to deal with serious repair expenses, so call us to find out more about what we can do for you.