jeudi 20 février 2014

How Safe Is Your Home's Foundation?

By Devon Timmons


If they found an area of the house that was clearly unsafe, such as a hole in the floor or loose ceiling fan, any sane homeowner would waste no time getting it repaired. But what about areas of the home that aren't as readily visible, but could still pose a large safety hazard to your family? Likely the most common issue of that category would be problems with the home's foundation. It's best to have the foundation examined by a professional at least twice a year.

Most geotechnical experts would agree that for the first ten feet of land under the foundation itself, the home should not drop more than a single foot. If this is unavoidable, then at the very least, the land should not drop more than six inches for the beginning 1.5 meters.

The cause of foundation problems can most often be traced to unstable or loose soil. Issues with a home's foundation can lead to great risks to both the property and the person who lives on it. During the construction phase, there are steps that can be taken to reduce this risk, like ensuring that the soil is compacted to the proper degree. Otherwise, the soil may shift and create voids. Soil from other areas moves in to fill these voids, and as a result, the home that rests on it is now less supported in certain areas.

A surprising number of houses are unable to meet even the minimum recommended standards, especially in states with fluctuating weather patterns and varying altitudes. Getting the foundation and surrounding ground examined by an expert extremely important, especially in areas like this, A minimum of two inspections a year is recommended, since problems are usually much easier and safer to handle before time exacerbates the problem. Weather conditions can be a large factor in foundation stability, as moisture can saturate the soil, causing it to shift, and erode the foundation itself. If you are able to catch these problems before they get out of hand, you will find them far cheaper and easier to deal with.

A good foundation will not only keep your family from potentially risky situations, but will also add value to the home if you plan on selling it and moving. A smart potential buyer will want information on every important aspect of the home, and the foundation is one of the most important. Keeping it in good order can be a very valuable selling point.

A bad foundation can crumble a whole investment, both symbolically and literally. If you check your foundation twice a year, perform any needed maintenance, fill any voids in the ground that may have formed, and properly replace, compact and drain the soil, you will protect both your family and the investment you made when you bought the property.




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