Causes of Foundation Damage In Charlottesville
In the grand scheme of things, even sturdy concrete cannot resist the test of time indefinitely. Despite being an ancient construction material with a remarkable load-bearing capacity, concrete lacks tensile strength. As a result, a combination of earth and water, subjected to slight movements, can generate enough lateral pressure to inflict damage on the foundation of your Charlottesville property.
Though foundation repair in Charlottesville may not be at the top of your list as a homeowner, it's crucial to understand what leads to foundation damage in Charlottesville and the nearby region. When you spot the signs, it's time to engage the expert services of Stable Foundations to prevent the issue from escalating and becoming more costly to repair.
Major Causes of Foundation Damage in Charlottesville
Your home foundation sits on soil, which is far from being consistently stable. Clay-rich soil is prone to expansion upon absorbing water during rainy periods, and contraction as the water drains away or evaporates in the dryer seasons. Over time, this recurring cycle of soil expansion and contraction in the Charlottesville area induces shifting in the soil that supports your foundation—and by extension, your entire home. The result is the foundation of your home settling unevenly.
Such an uneven shift leads to an imbalance (increased lateral pressure) that strains the concrete. If this pressure exceeds the tensile strength of the concrete, the foundation may deform or crack. Excessive soil moisture can also exert force (hydrostatic pressure) on your foundation.
Water damage, however, isn't the sole concern for Charlottesville homeowners in terms of foundation integrity. Air pockets within the soil can also collapse, leading to soil movement that may fracture the concrete. Similarly, soil subsidence—a downward shift often triggered by sinkholes or material loss—can occur if underlying substances such as water, natural gas, or oil are removed.
Signs of foundation issues to look out for include:
- Stair-step or diagonal cracks in your concrete or masonry
- Wall cracks, particularly in room corners
- Difficulty in opening or closing doors and windows
- Warped floorboards and wall trims
- Sagging, creaking, or uneven floors
- Bowing in basement or foundation walls
- Spaces where the foundation no longer makes contact with the ground
For over three decades, Stable Foundations has held the leading position in Charlottesville for foundation repair, crawl space repair and encapsulation, and basement wall repair. Our deep-seated expertise, unwavering commitment to quality, and personalized approach set us apart. As a third-generation, family-run Virginia enterprise, we're steadfast in ensuring the homes in our Charlottesville community are built on solid, reliable foundations. Should you detect signs of water damage or soil movement in your home, don't hesitate to connect with our Charlottesville crawl space contractors today for a free consultation.