As homes age, foundation problems become more common. These problems should be addressed promptly to prevent more expensive repairs that can be required if minor foundation issues are not corrected. At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, we have helped home and business owners since 1975 with our affordable foundation repair solutions. Let’s look at how foundations age and what to look for in your older foundation.
Structural Challenges of Aging Foundations
As foundations age, they can face structural challenges that compromise the structural integrity of your home or business. Various factors can cause your foundation to deteriorate with age, including the breakdown of construction materials, uneven settling, and wear and tear from weather, like water freezing and thawing in the soil. Many older foundations may have been built with outdated construction materials and methods, including:
- Lack of reinforcement
- Shallow footings
- Inadequate waterproofing
Besides older foundations often being built with outdated construction materials and methods, even modern foundations will start to show their age over time from wear and tear. A foundation may begin to settle over time, which can cause the foundation to sink into the ground unevenly, leading to uneven support for your home. Weather can also damage a foundation, particularly if water is allowed to pool around a foundation. Water can cause frost heaves in the winter and erosion of supporting soil away from your foundation. All of these factors play a role in damaging your home’s foundation as it ages.
Common Foundation Issues in Older Homes
Homeowners who own older homes are likely to experience some common symptoms seen in older foundations. You may notice that load-bearing walls start to bow or bend inwards, leading to cracks in your foundation and walls. These cracks can also form in your basement, allowing water in and stimulating mold and mildew growth. These cracks can be broken into four different categories:
- Hairline cracks
- Vertical cracks
- Horizontal cracks
- Stair step cracks
While some cracks in a foundation are not a significant cause for concern, others can indicate that your foundation is starting to show its age and needs repair. When you notice cracks, bowing walls, or water intrusion in your basement, it is best to get your foundation inspected by professionals like our team at Tom’s Basement Waterproofing.
Repair Techniques for Older Homes
At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, we can help restore old foundations to their structural integrity. We have several effective foundation repair options for cracks, reinforcement options, and waterproofing. Cracks can be filled and sealed with fillers and injections to prevent them from spreading and allowing moisture to enter your home. Older foundations can be reinforced with piering to stop uneven settling and restore your foundation’s structural integrity. Waterproof coatings can be applied to your foundation to prevent water from entering your basement, damaging your property, and spreading mold and mildew. Whatever problem your older foundation faces, our foundation repair experts will answer the call with modern and affordable repair solutions.
Maintaining an Older Foundation
While all foundations will eventually need repairs, there are steps that you can take to extend the life of your foundation. The best step you can take if you have an older foundation is to have it regularly inspected by foundation repair and inspection providers. Drainage management of your property that prevents standing water from accumulating around your foundation is also crucial to keeping your foundation sturdy for years to come. At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, we can provide you with all the tools you need to maximize the life of your foundation.
Get Help With Older Foundation Repairs and Basement Waterproofing
If your home or business’s foundation is starting to show its age, help is only one call away at (586) 949-7826. At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, we remain dedicated to giving our customers across Michigan affordable solutions to the common problems in older foundations and basements. Call our team today to schedule an inspection of your foundation or basement.