Who knew that there was so much that you need to know about the foundation of your home? Isn’t it just a slab of concrete and a few different screws under your home or business?
You’d think so, and that would make life a lot easier, but unfortunately, it’s not the case. You’re in luck because today the Litchfield Builders team is partnering with Restumping Melbourne, a team of experts who know everything about the foundation of your home and how important it can be to its structure.
The foundation of your structure can be one of those dodgy things that you don’t want to spend too much time on; conversely, it can be something that stresses you out far more than it should.
So, today's article explains the basics of what you need to know about foundation repair and what you don’t.
Why does your home need a foundation?
When built properly, a foundation does quite a bit more than just keep your home above ground and from sliding around, should inclement weather come calling. Additional benefits include keeping out moisture, insulation during colder months and stability during events like earthquakes or landslides.
There is also a reason why the term “foundation” is used in so many different contexts and industries. It lays the groundwork (pun intended) for whatever comes next - or in this case, on top of it. Your home needs a foundation - and a good one at that. That way, the rest of the home is set up for success, both for durability and longevity.
How do you know if you need work done to your foundation?
Ah, our favorite topic. There are so many telltale signs that we ignore, even though we shouldn’t. Here is a list of the top ten to keep an eye on:
There can be several telltale signs that you may need work done on your foundation. If you see any of these in particular, it’s definitely time to consider:
- Cracks in walls or ceilings
- Moisture entering the home
- Unbalanced or sloping floors
- Verandahs, patios or porches that start to pull away from your general home structure
- Doors that stick shut… or won’t swing shut at all
- Gaps between doors and the floor (particularly if you’re noticing that they’re more angled). Roll a pencil across the floor. If it moves at ease by itself, that’s a red flag.
- Sunken floors. This is particularly important on lower levels of your home that are the closest to your foundation.
- Nails that pull away from walls or floors. You’ll be able to notice these with small holes where they used to attach. This is another tell-tale sign that floors or walls are shifting.
- Wallpaper that has creases or wrinkles in it. This can also be because of moisture or improper ventilation in your space. Either way, you’ll want to remedy it.
- Walls that are a bit more angled than you’re used to, particularly in the basement or at lower levels.
How do you repair a foundation?
Well, there are a couple of different ways that you can handle this. You can do so through the art of restumping, reblocking or underpinning. Each has slight differences and nuances to the process, but the underlying goal is to secure the foundation deep into the ground through posts or stumps.
The big difference in the processes is the materials that are used – steel, wood, you name it. There are pros and cons to both. If you work with steel, you avoid the potential of holes or cracks, that can easily cause both noise and ultimately breakage. Wood as a material is also more susceptible to rot, bugs and mildew if it’s exposed to water or moisture.
Conversely, wood can be a more cost effective material to use and is popular in particular areas, based on the terrain on which the home is built. Wood also means lower labor costs, as construction experts and restumping experts are frequently better-versed in working with it, given its storied history of being a tried-and-true material.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Without being vague – it’s true, each property is unique. The cost will depend on the size of your home, how many issues you’re seeing with the foundation, the type of terrain your home is built on and the type of weather or environment at the time.
If the work is being completed during a rainstorm, it’s going to take a little bit longer than anticipated. The same is true if the work is being completed during a heat storm because the ground will be devoid of any moisture.
As far as timing, the key here is to be upfront and honest with your contractor about what sort of timeline you have to work with.
Get your foundation done right
The foundation is extremely important to the longevity of your home. Be sure you
If you are interested in learning more about home foundations, check out Restumping Melbourne's website for more information.
Ready to get started with your home remodeling project from the ground up? Find yourself a contractor that will get the job done right by downloading our free guide, How to Choose a Professional Home Remodeling Contractor.
