Get matched with top concrete repair specialists in Mccool Junction, NE

It’s usually not an immediate safety risk to live in a house with foundation problems, but you don’t want to let those problems persist. Most foundation issues don’t lead to a house’s sudden collapse, but they can lead to health issues like mold growth and pest intrusion, as well as problems like uneven floors or rotten beams and joists, which can pose injury risks and be costly to fix.

Water damage to a foundation often starts as a slow leak or water vapor problem that worsens over the course of months or even years. The speed at which foundation leaks worsen depends on a few factors, including your climate and location, the soil composition around your home, the foundation drainage system you have in place, if any, and the type of foundation you have. Even if you have a minor issue that’s slow to develop, it’s best to have a professional address the issue immediately.

Although it is possible for a house to collapse from a sinking foundation, it will likely take many years, and signs of major issues will be apparent for a while. Homes on hillsides or in areas that experience frequent washouts are at a higher risk of collapse. Still, barring a natural disaster or extreme circumstances, houses are unlikely to fully collapse from foundation damage.

Foundation cracks that are 1/8 inch wide or less, aren’t uneven across the gap, and don’t continue widening over time are usually just normal settling cracks and don’t suggest structural issues. Horizontal cracks and stair-step cracks on foundation walls, any cracks that continue widening, are wider than 1/8 inch, or where one side juts out beyond the other, are often indicative of structural damage.