A House Mishap You Might Not Be Aware Of
Though built with concrete, steel, and wood, your home isn’t immune to damages.
As it ages, it will gather dust and lose the brilliance of its original paint. Its wooden parts wear out and might even attract insects. While your aluminum and steel roofing and pipes might get rusty and need replacement.
But there’s another thing that’s ruining your home in silence. It works underneath but the wreckage it brings could be big that you won’t be ready for it.
Cause and effects of soil movement
We know that the earth constantly moves but its tiniest bit – soil is also often in motion. And these tiny movements can damage your home from below.
The ruin it does goes up to your floor, walls, tiles, and pipes which could make the whole house collapse.
Its main cause is severe weather changes like drought, continuous rain, and storm, which undoubtedly we can’t control. However, you can be prepared and have your home checked and repaired to prevent an even bigger disaster.
Preventing further damage of shifting soil
The first signs that your home is being damaged by soil movement are cracked floors and walls, and misaligned windows and doors.
In severe cases, you’ll hear creaking sounds or see your floors and walls having holes or becoming uneven without you knowing how it happened. This is an indication that the foundation of your home is crumbling.
If you notice this contact a foundation repair company immediately. They can apply the necessary patches in and around your house.
You could also ask a home inspector to survey your house before and after the repair to make sure you got everything fixed.
Before buying a house
If the condition is extreme though, moving homes might be a better decision. Should you choose to do this, get the help of your local home inspector again to double check if the new home you’re considering is sturdy and can withstand soil movement. Cracks on sidewalks and roads are again signs that a neighborhood is prone to foundation problems.
And get in touch with your local insurance agent to have the right coverage in your home insurance. Your insurance may not prevent soil from moving and damaging your house but it can help you have funds for small and big repair when the right coverage is in place.
For this particular need in the Hudson Valley New York City area, feel free to contact Joe DiCesare via phone or email.
Photo credit: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region