Even in the most solidly built home, there may eventually come a day when you notice small cracks in the foundation.
Maybe there is water leaking in or unfortunately, a musty, moldy smell permeates into everything stored in the basement.
Those seemingly innocent small cracks can lead to bigger and in some cases, dangerous conditions.
When Cracks Need Professional Attention
Minor hairline cracks in the foundation may not be a big deal. As long as they don’t become larger or start spreading to other areas.
Typically, once a crack becomes larger than 1/16 of an inch is the time to call for inspection and repair. Once the cracks become larger, it means the potential for more extensive and expensive damage may be right around the corner. A professional inspection will let you know for sure.
The danger of large cracks is that eventually, they can cause the concrete foundation to begin crumbling and deteriorating. The larger the crack, particularly if forming at an angle, the potential for damage to your foundation increases.
Cracks can also allow the foundation to shift. When shifting begins, you’ll have a harder time opening and closing doors and windows because the structure of your foundation has been compromised.
Potential for Water Damage
You don’t have to be a foundation repair expert to know that where there are cracks, there is the potential for moisture and water to seep into your home.
After a heavy rain, you may notice the basement is damp or even flooded depending on the foundation damage.
If left unchecked, excessive water causes a lot of damage to foundations. Water weakens foundation walls which may result in bulging, further cracking or even buckling.
Mold
On top of that, where there is excessive moisture, dampness and water, there is an increased potential for mold.
While mold can be extremely dangerous for those with respiratory issues, it is also extremely damaging to your home.
From carpeting to furniture to personal belongings, once mold begins growing on these items, they will be destroyed unless properly dried, cleaned, and disinfected.
Mold also wreaks havoc on a home’s structural components, eating away at wood and corroding metal.
Active mold releases airborne mold spores especially when disturbed. These mold spores can spread throughout your home settling into places you can’t even see such as in foundation cracks/gaps, behind drywall, above ceilings, and under floors.
Professional Inspections and Repair
You don’t want your home placed in danger because you ignored what you thought was a small crack in the foundation.
The best course of action is to call a professional to inspect and analyze the situation. They can repair existing damage, offer solutions to divert water and help prevent future damage to your home.
Since it doesn’t take long for mold to set in and spread, the next call is to a professional mold remediation company, who can identify all sources of mold and properly remediate the situation.
Professional mold remediation restores the integrity of places in your basement where mold has already taken root and eliminates the spread. Not only does this save your home from the damaging effects of mold but restores air quality and eases health symptoms.
Conclusion
These are some of the reasons why a cracked foundation is dangerous.
For the all-too-common mold that goes along with foundation and water damage, reach out to a professional remediation company to get rid of destructive mold before it takes over.
In Santa Rosa and surrounding areas in Sonoma County, schedule an appointment with RCS. Our mold remediation specialists can thoroughly inspect and remediate mold in your home caused by foundation damage and more.
While it’s not the most pleasant place to hang out, the crawlspace under your home may provide answers as to why you have cracked tiles, bouncy, creaky and/or sagging floors inside your home.
Here’s how and why a neglected crawlspace causes damage to your flooring.
Crawlspace Inspections
When checking out your crawlspace, it’s not hard to find problems with moisture, humidity, inadequate venting, vapor barrier or air circulation.
However, one of the most overlooked but important areas to check are the supports and crawlspace ceiling joists for signs of weakness, mold, and damage.
Crawlspace Issues Leading to Indoor Flooring Damage
There are a number of reasons why joists and support beams in the crawlspace cause damage inside.
Inadequate number of support beams or poor joist spacing
Shifting and settling
Settling of support beams under your home, especially if built on clay soil, consistently expand with excess water and contract when dry. Shifting soil causes support piers or posts to move enough to cause the floor joists to sag, which in turn causes damage and sagging to interior floors.
Old beams that simply fail over time due to exposure to the elements.
Potential Interior Damage from a Crawlspace
Damage may include noticeable gaps or spaces in the flooring itself, around the baseboards or the area from the floor to the wall.
Uneven floors cause hazards such as tripping or other injury, overall safety and structural integrity, and a decrease in home value.
Because support beams in the crawlspace tend to hold up better around its perimeter, you’ll notice floors sagging more in the middle areas of your home.
Along with damage to your floors, excessive moisture in the crawlspace also results in unpleasant odors, higher energy bills, humidity issues inside the home and dangerous exposure to mold.
Crawlspace Solutions to Prevent Future Damage
For starters, here are some things to consider for prevention of further damage caused by inferior crawlspace support:
Repair or replace damaged joists and support beams
Add additional joists to crawlspace ceiling to provide more support for interior floors
Encapsulate a dirt floor to control excessive humidity, moisture, and water
Add or replace a vapor barrier
Improve venting, air flow and circulation in crawlspace
Conclusion
Don’t put off needed repairs to the structural support located in your crawlspace before the rainy season hits.
For more solutions to address the damage, moisture, and mold issues that wrecked or compromised the floors and overall support of your home, don’t delay in calling RCS for a thorough crawlspace inspection, cleanup and safety plan.
