“This article is written by an independent resource not affiliated with Ram Jack.”
Foundation damage is a terrifying prospect for many people. It is hard to ignore the images from old cartoons where houses split in half and crumble in front of their horrified owners. Perhaps even worse, it is hard to ignore the thought of money that must be spent on foundation repair

. If you are dealing with a house that is structurally unsound, foundation repair how to may be at the front of your mind. Repair technology has come a long way in the last fifty years, however, and your problem may not be as horrible to fix as you think. With a little bit of research and planning, you can repair your foundation and make sure that it remains stable for years to come.

Before you call a repair company, it is necessary to determine first, what damage, if any, has occurred to your home. Foundation damage tends to start at the bottom of the house and work its way up, so the best place to start looking is at the foundation itself. Carefully walk around the entire building, checking for cracks in the foundation or walls. Do not assume that old, cracked brick is simply weathered. It may be the first sign of foundation damage. Check for signs of misalignment, such as spaces around the doors and windows. If the fascia board is pulling away from the house, it may indicate a problem with your foundation.

Once you have checked the entire perimeter of the house, it is time to take a look inside. Start with the basement and work your way up. Interior damage may look similar to exterior damage and can include cracks in the walls and gaps around doors and windows. Water leaking through the basement walls is an indication that it may be time for a lesson in foundation repair

how to. Leaning walls and sloping floors should also set off warning bells. Windows and doors often stick as the result of bulges caused by misalignment. Cracks in the floor or tile may also be an indication of foundation damage. It is also important to check your garage for signs of damage. Carefully look for separation from the door, cracked brick or walls that are rotating out.

Once you discover that you have a foundation problem, you should attempt to determine its cause. Most of the time, foundations are damaged because of settling. The soil underneath the house either shrinks away from the house or compresses beneath it, causing part of the house to settle down into the empty space. This puts strain on the foundation and can bend it or cause it to crack. Changes in the soil can be caused by a number of things such as evaporating moisture, plumbing leaks, or improper soil preparation at the time of construction. Foundation damage can also be caused by improper construction techniques such as the use of low-grade concrete and too little steel.

If you live in South Carolina or Georgia there are a number of companies that you can call to fix your damaged foundation. The most reliable method of foundation repair how to is a process called underpinning. This process involves extending the foundation down into the ground. Depending how far above sea level you are, you may have to drill quite deep to find soil that is appropriately stable. It is important, however, to make sure that the foundation is properly stabilized. While filling the cracks and reinforcing the doors and windows may look alright for a while, your house must have a sound structure if you do not want to end up like a cartoon homeowner, watching your house disintegrate before your eyes.