Can Concrete Foundations Be Water Damaged?

Water from outside the foundation puts pressure on the foundation walls, causing them to crack. Depending on the nature of the cracks, you may need anything from a minor repair of the base to expensive repair work. Concrete is porous and discolors easily when groundwater remains on the surface. When too much water is soaked into the concrete, cracks form.

These cracks change with changes in temperature and humidity. There is nothing worse than buying a house, only to realize that the foundations have water damage. Because concrete is porous, excess water can fill the pores, reach the foundations of your house, and degrade concrete along the way. There are several ways your home's foundation can be damaged and can go unnoticed over time.

This is especially true if there are no obvious signs. Rainwater or underground springs can slowly wash away the soil that supports the foundations, causing the foundation to settle. The first signs of foundation settlement are not always obvious and can be easily dismissed by the owner, until they become serious enough to demand professional intervention. Signs include subsidence, uneven floors, doors and windows that don't close properly, cracks in drywall and tilting fireplaces. Standing water can cause a wide variety of problems, none more damaging or costly than the problems it can cause with the foundation of a house.

It also depends on the type of water around the base. Rainwater that accumulates and accumulates around the foundations of a house can, believe it or not, enter the concrete foundations. Concrete foundations are porous and water fills any pores you can find. Over time, water can seep into concrete foundations and ultimately break up concrete. This break will cause the foundations to crack, which in turn will cause the foundations to change and the house to become unstable.

Cracks in the ceiling or wall inside the house may be a symptom of a base affected by standing water. Water is the main culprit for most foundation problems. There is too much, which causes the ground to swell, or not enough, which causes the ground to shrink. Unfortunately, when the hydrostatic pressure is not relieved and is allowed to continue to press against the foundation, it will eventually cause serious structural damage. The walls can start to tilt inward or even turn.

This type of foundation damage associated with water affects the structural integrity of the building and will need to be repaired immediately after the source of excess water has been removed. Two common solutions for re-stabilizing foundations are thrust pillars and helical pillars. Water seepage occurs when water does not pour into the foundation of a house, but slowly breaks through by penetrating or permeating a porous material such as a concrete foundation wall. People are often surprised to hear that most foundation problems are caused by excess water in the ground below and around the foundation. This results in the settlement of the building, which can lead to subsidence of concrete slabs and cracks in concrete. The main cause of water seepage in your home's foundation will always be excess moisture in the soil around it.

Proper care of any concrete foundation or basement can help you avoid future water damage problems. The correct repair for foundation damage depends on what caused it, what type of floor crack or wall crack you have, and other symptoms you may be dealing with such as arched walls or a sunken concrete slab. If the soil under your base expands when wet or contracts when dry, your base may change. That freeze-thaw cycle puts a lot of stress on your building's concrete foundations and will cause cracks in walls and roofing. If you suspect that water damage to your foundation is at fault, don't let it get worse and call an experienced foundation professional. Proper maintenance of your home will ensure your concrete foundations last longer and stay strong.

Watering foundations and turf during dry periods can help prevent soil shrinkage which is a possible cause of foundation damage. If pressure against your foundation walls continues for long enough it can even cause them to bend or turn.

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