Recognizing Foundation Problems

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In order to repair any foundations, you first need to know what causes the foundation to get damaged. There are many things that can happen to the foundation including cracks, masonry moving, leaning, bulging, or bowing. You have to look carefully at your foundation and know what to look for. If you are not proficient in inspecting property for problem areas you may better get a housing inspector to come in and do the evaluation. This way you get a better handle on the problems that have arrived and the ways to deal with them. If you do not have the time or money to have a housing inspector come in your property, here are things you can do yourself:

• Observe the structure: When you look at the structure of the foundation, see if you can pinpoint the exact problem. It may be a crack in the wall.
• Recognize the structure: If you look at the foundation, see if you can determine what the material is made from. It could be concrete with some kind of primer painted on it to protect the concrete.
• Movement: Look at the concrete. Does it look like it is separating somehow? Are there gaps where there were no gaps before?
• Missing ingredients: Look at the slab of concrete and see if perhaps there could be something missing that could have prevented the damage in the first place. For example, did the builder forget to put primer or some type of concrete protector on the concrete?

This is just for starters. You need to do a thorough inspection in order for you to find the source of the problem so you can take corrective action.



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