About Me

Take On The Role Of A Contractor In Your Home

As the father of an autistic child, I have been faced with more than a few necessary home modifications projects. Unfortunately, with the high cost of raising a special needs child and my wife's decision to stay home and raise our son, there simply was no room in our budget to hire a contractor to complete these projects for us. Each weekend for nearly a year, I would pick a project to work on. This past month, I finally finished every project on my list. After learning more than I thought I would ever know about home construction and repair, I have a new found appreciation for the skills of general and specialty contractors. That is why I decided to start this blog to pay tribute to the job these contractors do, and help to empower more homeowners to take on the role of a contractor in their home.

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How To Evaluate Your Home's Concrete Slab For Foundation Damage

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Your home's concrete slab is the foundational structure of your home. Without it, your home would fall apart over time. If you even just slightly suspect that there is foundation damage, you need to evaluate your home immediately. However, you must know how to do this the right way or it will be a waste of time and will cost more in repairs in the future.

What to Look for on the Exterior:

  • Cracks at the base of the home – In a few cases, you may notice a few small cracks that are only cosmetic in nature. They may not even be a problem, but they could also be a sign that larger problems are to come in the future. It's best to have a professional check it out sooner rather than later.
  • Roof leaks – If you have roof leaks and you have already examined your shingles and other roofing materials, then your problem may actually be caused by a foundation shift.
  • Standing water – If you have noticed that there is water collecting close to the home's foundation, it can cause the soil expansion, which creates pressure and can result in serious damage.
  • Diagonal cracks in brick mortar – Take a close look at the mortar of your bricks. If you notice any diagonal cracks, then these cracks are signs of structural stress and shifting.

What to Look for in the Interior

  • Window issues – Whether your window won't open without a large amount of applied force or your window won't stay open, there may be a problem in the foundation. It may just be the weatherstripping, or something else entirely, but it could also be a sign of foundation trouble.
  • Sticking doors – If you have noticed that a door is sticking or doesn't appear to be hung properly, then it could mean that the foundation of your home is shifting and causing problems.
  • Interior wall cracks – Look closely at the joints where your home's walls meet the doors, ceilings and other walls. If you notice cracks, then it could mean the foundation is settling resulting in the joints pulling away from each other.
  • Fireplace cracks – Take a look at your fireplace. Do you notice any cracks between the tiles or bricks? If so, it may be a sign of foundation stress.

All of the aforementioned things are items that may point to foundation failure. By regularly evaluating your home for these things, you can cut the foundation repair expenses while also ensuring your home is a safe and secure place for you and your family.

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31 December 2014