Why You Should Care
Being a home or business owner is expensive. Then it has hidden costs along the way, like a cracked foundation or uneven concrete at your entryway, that make it even more costly and, frankly, annoying. It can be easy to rationalize putting off getting work done, but that’s the last thing you should do as a responsible home or business owner. A-1 Concrete Leveling and Foundation Repair in Nashville can help you through the process and hopefully save you some headaches along the way.
We’re adamant, however, that you contact us and make changes as soon as you see signs of concrete or foundation disrepair. Sometimes we can fix the issue in a single day, and sometimes it will take more time; the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help you and prevent future, more expensive, problems. After all, your house or business is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make; why not take care of the problem now and invest in your future?
It’s certainly tempting to wait it out and see if it’s a bigger problem, but if you do that then it certainly will be. Foundations, for example, make sure the weight of your home is distributed evenly and protects it from shifting and settling. If something is wrong, even in just that one little spot you noticed in the basement, it can greatly affect the rest of the foundation and home. This can, in turn, cause much more damage and, potentially, harm.
Here Are Signs You Can Look For
If you’ve seen something around your home and haven’t been sure if it’s a problem or not, see if it’s on this list; however, this list doesn’t include every potential sign ever. Go ahead and call us if you’re still not sure. It’s wise to go around your crawlspace or house occasionally, especially if it’s older, and see if you notice any of these signs.
- Cracks or fractures in the foundation, walls, or floors. If you do find cracks or fissures, it doesn’t necessarily mean your foundation is crumbling and compromised. Different lengths or angles of cracks can mean different things, so just reach out to us if you’re unsure.
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- A sinking or rising foundation. Though it’s normal for a foundation to sink or settle in the first two to three years following construction, settling after that can definitely be a problem. What starts out as a ½-inch dip can later sink another 2 to 4 inches if left unattended. If the opposite is happening and you have foundation upheaval, the most common cause is too much moisture. Whether it’s moving upward or downward, we can help you find a solution for the problematic foundation.
- Improperly fitting doors or windows. If your door is sticking and won’t open or close properly or if there are gaps around window frames or exterior doors, your foundation is most likely shifting or moving for some reason and needs repair.
- Sagging floors or warped ceilings. These obviously don’t look good, but they’re also dangerous for anyone — especially children or elderly people — who is trying to walk on the surface. Perhaps worse, it’s a fairly clear sign of a foundation that needs work.
- Counters, cabinets, or shelves separating from the wall. Maybe this is one of those things you initially ignored because it wasn’t a big deal, but now your kitchen cabinet has gradually pulled ½ an inch away from the way and you’re not sure what it means. It’s most likely a sign of foundation damage: after all, if your walls aren’t level, how is anything on the walls expected to be level?
- Water damage. Water can lead to foundation damage, but it can also be a reliable sign of damage. Look for obvious and not-so-obvious water damage when you’re inspecting your home. Perhaps it’s a big spot in the wall that has been ravaged by water, but it could also be a damp area one in a spot where there shouldn’t be moisture (like in the crawlspace, for example).
