5 Ways to Avoid This Weird But Common Foundation Issue (2024)

FAQs

How to avoid foundation issues? ›

The foundation walls can crack or settle. A sprinkler system can help, but you can also install French drains. A French drain can allow water to more deeply penetrate the soil. Use a rain barrel to collect and reuse the rain when we do get it.

Preventing foundation cracks involves ensuring adequate drainage, keeping the soil around the foundation properly compacted, and addressing any structural problems. It is also highly recommended to have a structural engineer assess the building before undertaking any renovations or alterations.

Foundation cracks are extremely common with masonry structures of all sorts and can occur during the curing process, but if they're small, they're rarely an issue. Large cracks can allow water to penetrate the basem*nt or let pests sneak in.

Floor cracks: Floor cracks are a common foundation problem that occurs when the foundation settles or sinks. If left untreated, floor cracks can expand and grow, allowing leaks to occur. Foundation sinking & settlement: Foundation settlement occurs when there are soil changes below the structure.

Two common skin concerns that can cause foundation to separate on the face are dry patches and excess oil. For dry, flaky skin: It's important to use a gentle exfoliator that removes dead cells and reveals a smoother-looking complexion.

Magic Tip #2: Use a Mattifying Primer or Foundation

Matte primers and foundations like Airbrush Flawless Foundation are formulated to stay in place and have less slip than glowy formulas. This makes them ideal for applying to the nose area where products are prone to separating and sliding around the face.

Poor Drainage

Inadequate drainage can lead to soil erosion and reduced load-bearing capacity, causing foundation shifts, sinking, and cracks. Pooling water exacerbates foundation damage as it expands and contracts, weakening the concrete.

If you don't address foundation problems, the repairs can become more complicated and expensive. As the problem gets worse over time, your home will experience additional damage – water damage, mold, cracked walls, jammed doors, and sagging floors – that will cost additional money to repair.

How to prevent house shifting? ›

You can prevent your home's foundation from shifting by installing waterproofing around it. Waterproofing will ensure that your home's foundation won't succumb to frost heave. If water is unable to reach the foundation, then you won't have to worry about the foundation shifting in winter.

Keep in mind that there's no point in trying to hide foundation damage. You will have to disclose this information to your agent and the buyer. The inspector will find it during the home inspection and most buyers won't appreciate the deception if you didn't disclose the problem right away.

Expansive Soils

Perhaps one of the most common reasons for people to seek foundation repair is due to an overload of water in the soil. Under normal circ*mstances, sufficient drainage means that the average home shouldn't have much to worry about when it comes to damage to foundations if constructed properly.

You can prevent worsening cracks by controlling drainage and stabilizing moisture levels: Install rain gutters and downspouts around the entire house to direct water away from the foundation. Extend downspouts at least 5 to 6 feet out. Grade flat areas of soil to slope water away from the house.

Not all foundation cracks are cause for concern. The natural curing process of concrete can cause hairline cracks—less than 1/8 inch wide—to appear in the first few years after a home is built. However, larger cracks and those that grow over time could indicate a serious structural issue.

Uneven soil settlement and uneven loading

A common cause of foundation failure, where cracks develop in the building and foundation reinforcements can corrode. This is usually caused by uneven load distribution or a change in soil-bearing capacity.

Soft, low density soils and/or improperly compacted soil beneath a home is the leading cause of foundation failure.

If your skin is dry or dehydrated OR too moist or oily, foundation stains are far more likely to appear on your clothes.