Extreme Conditions and Your Home

We haven’t had many rainy days or nights in Georgia recently and the lack of rain (drought type conditions) can wreak havoc with the foundation of your home and thus the value of it as well.

Harsh weather conditions like drought or (even excessive rain) can cause structural damage to foundation of your home.  As a result of extreme conditions, the soil underneath can shrink or swell and loose its ability to support your home which will cause the structure to shift and move.  Look around your home on the exterior and the interior.  Do you see cracks outside in bricks?  What about cracks in your drywall above doors or windows?  Do you notice doors and windows that do not open or close properly?  What about the walls in your basement or crawlspace?  Do the walls seem to be bowing or do you see offsetting cracks in your walls? 

Foundation movement is a common problem in metro Atlanta, because of expansive clay soil and changing weather conditions.  As a result homeowners can end up with costly home repair bills! 

As your home ages, it is likely the structure of your home will continue to be affected by differential movement.  This movement can cause problems regardless of whether your home is new or old.  It does not stop or slow down as your home gets older.  It can happen suddenly or over time depending on weather (and thus soil) conditions. 

There are a couple culprits that cause foundations problems with your home.  Soil conditions are one of them.  Clay in the soil expands or contracts as its moisture content changes with the weather. The more expansive the soil the larger your cracks can be. 

Plants can also play a role in damage to your foundation. The roots of the trees and plants consume the moisture in your soil.  Trees should be planted far enough away to allow for growth of the roots as over the years they can extend out considerably and the root system could come in contact with your home’s foundation. 

A home plumbing leak, air conditioning leak or even a city water pipe leak can also cause settlement issues where the soil has been wet.  

Poor drainage also plays a role.  Water standing or running alongside a foundation after rains may cause settlement of a foundation. Are your gutters pouring water down right next to the foundation of your home?  Is your yard sloping towards your home?  It is always a smart idea to keep all gutters and downspouts flowing properly and extended at least 10 to 15 feet away from the foundation.   It can become much worse after dry conditions that have existed in north Georgia and the entire state.  When the soil has been very dry prior to the beginning of the rain, it shrinks and pulls away from the foundation, leaving a gap next to the foundation wall. These gaps then allow for a clear path for a surge of water from the next heavy rain when the rains finally do return.

If you already seen some of the symptoms we have discussed, give us a call. 

Our foundation repair systems are designed to do more than just permanently repair your home -- they're also designed to return your structure back to its original position in most cases.  We also offer  nationally backed, life of structure warranties on most foundation repairs. 

Regardless of why you're experiencing a foundation problem in your home, AquaGuard Foundation Solutions conducts a thorough inspection of your home and we'll let you know exactly what steps need to be taken to permanently stabilize your foundation and restore value to your greatest investment!