Upon first glance, potential foundation problems like wall cracks or uneven floors may not seem important enough to warrant Foundation Service in Hawaii. If addressed early, most foundation concerns can be repaired easily and permanently. The caveat here being early identification of the issue. The following describes some of the most common foundation problems.
Uneven or Sinking Floors
If the doors or windows in a home become difficult to open or close or even completely jam, the cause may be a sinking floor. Other signs of this condition are flooring cracks, sinking concrete slabs, or mold in the crawl space. Sinking or uneven floors are more a result of shifting or settling foundations rather than the flooring system itself.
Foundation Cracks or Wall/Floor Cracks
Cracks in the walls, floors, or even the chimney can all signal potential foundation problems. While some degree of shifting and settling is normal the first few years post-construction, cracks more than 1/16″ may exceed the expected amount of settling. In general, horizontal cracks are of greater concern than vertical cracks. Horizontal cracks exceeding .6″ in width are deemed serious and could be due to extreme water pressure compromising the foundation.
Doors Sticking or Not Opening and Closing Properly
Sometimes, doors stick or become difficult to open and close due to increased humidity levels, typically greater than 75%. This typically occurs for a few days following a period of heavy rains or flooding. On the other hand, doors exhibiting these symptoms during other times of the year, such as the winter when humidity levels are low, may indicate foundation issues. Interior doors will tend to stick at the top whereas exterior doors are more likely to stick near the threshold or appear to hang unevenly.
Types of Repair
Foundation Service in Hawaii can effectively repair crawl space foundations by installing adjustable steel pillars known as crawl space jacks to stabilize sagging structures. Homes on slab foundations can be addressed by installing foundation slab piers to secure the foundation or, in some instances, return the foundation to its initial position.
Visit Website of a reputable foundation specialist to learn more about the causes of foundation issues and the common warning signs. The average inspection takes less than one hour to perform, and the inspector will advise you of potential problems and how to best address them. You can also follow them on Twitter.
