Budgeting for home repair costs is impossible! The annual cost to maintain a house depends on various factors. In general, plan to spend somewhere between 2-4% of the house’s value in repairs each year.
Of course, this percentage might be higher if you are dealing with something as big as foundation issues. Despite the cost of repairing, structural repairs are necessary.
Keep reading to learn why.
The Importance of Structural Repairs
Structural repairs are necessary to avoid additional damage to your home’s foundation. If you notice cracks forming, it’s often a sign of an underlying issue.
Leaving cracks unresolved and ignoring the problem will only make things worse. If your home is a victim of structural damage after water or fire damage, it’s best to hire a restoration company right away.
Even if you haven’t been involved in a big storm or fire, you could have structural damage from general aging.
These are the risks associated with structural damage if you don’t repair foundation cracks:
- Structural integrity loss
- Radon exposure
- Water damage
- Mold and mildew growth
- Pest intrusion
- Concrete deterioration
Most concrete foundation cracks can be quickly repaired.
The cost of structural repairs of this kind is generally affordable. However, if you let cracks sit and cause more damage, the structural repair cost will be higher.
Signs of Structural Damage
Now that you know structural repairs are needed to prevent further damage to your home, you need to know the common signs that your home needs structural repairs.
The quicker you repair, the better. Structural repairs increase home safety and prevent costly repairs down the line.
Hire a professional if you notice any of these signs:
Visible Cracks in Interior Walls and Ceilings
Cracks in the internal walls and ceilings in your home don’t always mean foundation issues. Yet, one of the causes of these cracks is an uneven foundation.
Houses can settle and sink into the earth and might even tilt to one side. When your home moves, deep cracks can develop in the walls, ceiling, and floor.
Have any visible cracks investigated to rule out foundation damage.
Visible Cracks in Exterior Walls
Visible cracks in exterior walls can also be caused by various reasons. However, exterior wall cracks almost always indicate foundation failure.
As soil shifts around the underneath of the house, the structure adjusts to the movement and causes the siding to become uneven.
Horizontal cracks in exterior walls indicate an uneven foundation. Vertical walls usually mean the wall is turning and there is a possible foundation problem.
Uneven Floors
A shifting foundation will cause your indoor flooring to shift as well. Check for this and soft spots on the floor.
If you find these things, you likely need structural repairs. But, uneven floors can also be caused by sagging joists, beams, or water damage.
Do You Need Structural Repairs?
Structural repairs are necessary for homes that have foundation issues. It’s not always easy to tell if your foundation is a problem, so it’s important to look out for the signs.
If you find an issue, have it repaired right away to avoid a hazardous home environment and costly future repairs.
For more guides on the home, check out the other posts on our blog.