We look upon crooked houses as full of character and quirky. They put a smile on our face as we pass by, and our children point at them. For the homeowner, it is no joke. A house that starts to succumb to subsidence is a serious matter that can have disastrous results.
We are going to take a look at some causes of subsidence today. If you arm yourself with knowledge, panic and terror will not overtake you if you see the early warning signs that all is not well with the structure of your building. The causes can often be easy to identify, but some of them are not. In the worst case, there is nothing you can do to save the building, and you will lose everything. That is unlikely to happen though; you are more likely to win the lottery.
Before we look at the causes of subsidence, I advise you to check if your building insurance is up to date. When people finish paying the mortgage, they often neglect the protection it affords and live to regret it.
Sinkholes occur when underground water deep below the surface cuts caves and tunnels out of soft rock. They often do no harm, but sometimes the ground at the surface can sink into the cavities and there is nothing you can do to stop it. Remember what I said about insurance? Now you know why. The holes can open so fast that your home can disappear in minutes.
If your house stands on wet clay soil, drought can affect it. During an extraordinarily long dry spell, the ground might dry up as local trees suck the water out of it. Clay soil goes crumbly and loses its integrity when it dries out, and part of your house might start to sink. You must call a foundation repair company if you spot signs that your house is on the move. If you act quickly, they can underpin the structure to make it sound once more.
If there is a leak close to your building, the running water might be eroding the soil from around the foundation. The problem might be a burst water pipe or leaky garden pond. Maybe the building has blocked gutters, and the rainwater is overflowing close to the house.These problems are often easy to fix when you identify them. Asking for advice from a local contractor like Seneca Creek Home Improvement can help you assess how it needs to be fixed. If you notice the ground around your home is often soggy, try to find the cause. By doing so, you could prevent future problems.
It is rare for tree roots to affect the foundations of a building, but it occasionally happens. They could remove the moisture from the ground as we mentioned earlier. Don’t plant trees close to the building. A tiny sapling can grow into an enormous oak tree that could cause severe damage to your home. It’s common sense; don’t you think?
Houses don’t subside without a cause. Though you can halt the progression of the collapse, your home will lose its value. Deal with the issue immediately when you see the signs. You might notice a tiny crack in the outside wall. If it runs through the middle of a brick, be suspicious. As I said; the chances of it happening to your home are miniscule. Don’t have bad dreams about it!
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