The foundation supports the entire weight and structure of your home. When issues arise, you might worry about foundation repair costs in Dallas.
Fear of foundation crack repair costs might deter you from resolving foundation issues. As seasoned foundation experts, Ecoscape Foundation & Home Services knows that putting off certain kinds of foundation repairs can cause many problems, including structural damage and decreased property value.
So, how do you identify foundation issues, and what are the consequences of neglecting to do foundation repairs?
Causes and Signs of Foundation Issues
The Blackland Prairies clay soils in Dallas-Fort Worth contract and expand with climate changes. In cold weather, the soil and foundation expand. In hot weather, they shrink. Constant changes like these can cause your foundation and home to shift.
Dynamic moisture levels can also impact your foundation. Tree roots spreading under a foundation, poor drainage, plumbing issues, an improperly sloped yard, and flooding can cause water concerns that wreak havoc on a foundation, according to ThisOldHouse.com.
Signs of foundation issues include:
- Sticking or misaligned interior and exterior doors
- Sticking windows or window frames pulling away from brick
- Creaking, bouncing, bulging, or uneven floors
- Cracks in floor tiles or wood floors
- Drywall cracks and nails popping out of drywall
- Water leaking from foundation walls and floors
- The base of the house slanting or sinking
- Hairline or large cracks on walls
Small hairline cracks are expected as a house settles and are typically nothing to worry about. However, large cracks and other foundation issues can cause more significant problems if you ignore them.
Consequences for Ignoring Foundation Issues
You might notice a crack in the wall and opt to do nothing due to concerns about costs, but ignoring foundation issues can have serious consequences. Here are some examples.
Structural Damage
Unresolved foundation issues may cause a ripple effect that leads to significant structural damage. Suppose you notice large cracks, water leaks, sticking doors, bulging floors, or any other signs of a compromised foundation. In that case, you should immediately contact a foundation repair expert like Ecoscape to diagnose and fix the problem before the damage spreads. The more foundation damage you have, the higher the risk of jeopardizing your home’s structural integrity.
Decreased Property Value
Many potential home buyers order an inspection before completing a home sale. Foundation issues can decrease property value and sale price, raise red flags, and alarm buyers. If you’re considering selling your home, repairing foundation issues prior to listing it can ward off these problems.
Unpleasant Curb Appeal
Foundation cracks on interior and exterior walls or around doors and windows are an eyesore that negatively impacts your home’s curb appeal. By comparison, a well-maintained home that looks aesthetically pleasing can help attract buyers.
Unwanted Critter Access
Cracks in the crawlspace or basement foundation can provide access to unwanted insects, rodents, and other critters. Spotting rodent droppings, holes and gnawing marks, a foul odor, and rodent nests are signs of rat and mouse infestations, for example. Their presence is not only creepy, but these unwanted guests can damage your house and pose a health risk, according to Forbes.
Plus, extermination fees are expensive. So, sealing foundation cracks and imperfections is one way to keep these pests out of your home and fend off these fees.
Mold and Mildew Growth
Unrepaired cracks can allow water and moisture to build up in your foundation and crawlspace. According to Architectural Digest, this provides a breeding ground for unhealthy mold and mildew underneath wood floors and carpeting, behind interior and exterior walls, drywall, and rotting beams.
Mold restoration services are expensive. So, repairing foundation issues that allow water and moisture into your home prevents mold growth and removal-related costs.
Roof Leaks
Improper drainage via inadequate gutter systems, flooding, foundation cracks, sloping floors, and tree roots spreading under your home can cause shifting, movement, and damage that extends all the way up to the roof.
As your foundation shifts and moves, shingles can move and break along with it. A faulty roof can cause all kinds of damage throughout your home, and roof repairs or replacement can quickly drain your wallet.
Increased Utility Bills
Foundation concerns that cause misaligned doors and windows and cracks in interior and exterior walls can allow air and moisture to flow in and out of your living space. This hot and cold air exchange can cause the furnace and air conditioner to work harder to hold your designated settings, which can increase your utility bills.
Bursting Plumbing Lines
You may not think about how foundation trouble can impact your plumbing lines. But foundation problems can make underground plumbing lines burst. This kind of unforeseen water damage can impact multiple areas in your home, make a huge mess, and take a toll on your finances.
Fortunately, promptly fixing foundation issues can help prevent potential plumbing disasters.
Ecoscape Is There to Heed Your Call
Ecoscape’s knowledgeable team of foundation experts is here to help if a foundation issue strikes. Don’t let fear of foundation repair costs keep you from resolving concerns that can lead to catastrophic and expensive unforeseen damages.
Contact Ecoscape to get a free at-home evaluation and quote for the job — call (972) 210-1494 to schedule an appointment at your convenience. The company backs all work with a lifetime warranty and offers several financing options for qualified customers.
This article was created by an external contributor. Members of The Dallas Morning News editorial and news staff were not involved in the creation of this content.