Many homes suffer from damaged foundations that can put the whole home at risk. You may notice long, horizontal cracks or bowed walls in your basement. Once the damage becomes severe enough, the whole wall may even collapse. Find out more about wall repair in Minneapolis, MN, so you can correct the problem before it can put you and your family in danger. Reasons for Cracked Foundations Most cracked foundations are caused by a buildup of water on the outside of the wall. This water gradually pushes the wall inward to the point where the wall can no longer hold up under the pressure. If you live in an area that’s prone to flooding, you’ll be more likely to see this type of foundation damage. However, you can also see it just by watering your lawn too often. Another reason for foundation damage is insect activity. Tunneling insects such as termites can burrow their way through your foundation, leaving it weak and unable to support your house. Wall Braces and Supports One way to combat extra pressure on your foundation is by providing additional support through braces and other devices. Your contractor may suggest installing steel beams in your basement to take some of the pressure off your foundation. Or you may need to provide more support underneath a sagging foundation to make your foundation capable of bearing more weight. Crack Repair Once the pressure is eased, you can fix the actual damage in your basement with polyurethane or epoxy injections. These seal up the cracks so you don’t have to worry about moisture or insects coming in through the walls. Keep in mind that these techniques won’t do anything to make the wall stronger, so they should only be used after you’ve corrected the root of the problem. New Foundation If the damage to your foundation is too severe, you may have to replace some or all of your foundation as a last resort. Usually you can see the damage as it progresses and can have it repaired before it gets to that point. However, if you put it off long enough, you might not have the chance. Also, termites and other insects might be causing damage that you can’t see, so you might not realize the severity of the problem. Look for signs of an infestation like mud tubes, small holes, and piles of droppings or dead insects. Improve Drainage After your wall repair in Minneapolis, MN, it’s important to prevent the same thing from happening again. If your foundation damage was caused by water pressure, you may be able to redesign your yard in order to keep water from pooling around your house. Make sure the ground slopes away from your home, and that the downspouts of your gutters direct water well away from the building. If you live at the bottom of a hill or in another flood-prone area, install a French drain around your property to remove excess water from the soil. Don’t over-water your lawn, and place sprinklers as far away from your house as possible.
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