Signs of Foundation and Structural Damage That You May Find in Your Home

Your home is your most valuable asset and it pays to protect and care for it. To prevent expensive or even irreparable damage, you should watch out for the signs of foundation and structural damage and have them repaired immediately. Concrete foundation slab and pier and beam foundations can both develop very serious issues.

If you notice any of the following signs of foundation and structural damage, your home may need foundation repair.

Cracks in Your Walls, Floor, or Foundation

The most obvious sign of foundation damage are cracks in the foundation, your floor, or your walls. These can be both exterior and interior walls.

It’s normal for a foundation to settle in the first two to three years and develop tiny cracks. However, cracks in the concrete block or brick exterior walls can indicate that your home has experienced an unacceptable level of settling. A ¼” crack in your exterior walls can warrant an inspection from a foundation repair service.

Unusual cracks on interior walls, floors, and ceilings are also of concern. If the foundation of your house has had an extreme amount of settling, cracks can appear almost anywhere in your home.

Foundation Upheaval

While foundation settling is common, foundations can also move upwards. Foundation upheaval can have many causes, including soil expansion and contraction. However, excess moisture in the soil due to heavy rain, floods, or underground plumbing leaks is often the cause. Clay soils are commonly affected by moisture.

Frost and freezing temperatures are another common cause of foundation upheaval. When the water in the soil freezes, its volume increases. This can push upwards, putting pressure on your foundation. Like settling, foundation upheaval can cause cracks in the foundation, walls, floor, and ceiling of your home.

Window and Door Frames Separating From Walls

If you notice that the door and window frames of your home appear to be separating from the walls, that's another sign of foundation damage. Likewise, you may notice that your kitchen countertop and cabinets seem to be pulling away from the walls. You could also notice that the doors in your house are sticking or that cabinet doors hang open.

Sagging Floors

If your floors are no longer level or, even worse, are bowing up or dipping down, you likely have foundation damage. The problem might be barely noticeable now, but it will likely get worse and should be fixed as soon as possible.

While many of these signs can indicate other problems as well, it’s a good idea to have a foundation repair professional inspect your home. Having your foundation fixed as soon as possible is vital for keeping your home safe for both you and your family. It can also help keep repair bills lower than they might otherwise be.

Foundation and structural damage are both serious issues. Know the signs of damage as well as what problems are most likely to affect your home. By watching out for these signs, you can protect your home and your family.

Yearly Maintenance to Keep Track of for a Worry-Free Home

While regular home maintenance might seem like a big hassle, it can also have a major impact on your finances and stress levels in the coming years. With a little bit of regular maintenance, you should be able to avoid some of the most common problems that homeowners run into.

Roof

When it comes to home maintenance, very few structures are as important as the roof. Roofs that aren’t properly maintained will quickly deteriorate, and that can lead to leaks and other serious structural issues. In addition to inspecting the roof once every few months for any signs of damage, you should also clear out any debris that has collected on the roof or in the rain gutters.

Pest Control

Even though pests can quickly take over your home, keeping them off your property is usually a relatively easy process as long as you are diligent. Most pest control experts agree that homes should be sprayed and inspected at least once every few months. You can also spend a little bit of time ensuring that there aren’t any obvious entryways where pests could make their way into your home. Some of the most common entry points include holes and cracks around windows, vents, doors, and pipes.

Plumbing

It is an unfortunate fact that almost every homeowner will have to deal with at least a few annoying plumbing issues over the years. While a leaky faucet or noisy toilet probably doesn't require immediate attention, you should still keep an eye out for any serious issues that might indicate you have major plumbing problems. That includes a skyrocketing water bill, water that has an unusual taste, unpleasant smells around your sinks, and any signs of mold around your faucets or spigots.

Septic Tank

If you have a septic tank on your property, then septic tank maintenance will need to be a priority as well. Modern septic tanks are incredibly durable, but they still must be regularly emptied, cleaned, and inspected. When a homeowner first moves into a home with a septic tank, they should immediately call an experienced septic tank contractor so that they can set up a maintenance schedule that will keep their sewage system running smoothly for years.

These few steps are a great start, but every home is slightly different. That is why all homeowners should create personalized maintenance checklists that ensure they cover all of their bases before any major catastrophes occur.

4 Parts of Your Old Home to Inspect to Make Sure It's Safe and Stable

The old saying goes that the three most important aspects of a home are location, location, and location. But when it comes to safety and stability, there are four key parts you need to inspect before buying or leasing your next abode.

These four crucial components will tell you how soundly built your new house is (and whether it'll be safe for both you and any pets), as well as how long ago those foundations were set down. That's why this article is going to cover these four areas in detail: footings, foundation walls, structural beams in the basement below grade level, and crawl spaces or lofts above grade level.

Footings

When you look at your potential home's exterior (the foundation wall), you need to see what's called footings. Footings are the four or more stones that form a rectangle on top of which your home was set down. These rectangles should enclose an area large enough so that all walls extend below grade level by at least 6 inches.

Foundation Walls

When you look at your foundation walls (the rest of the exterior), make sure that they're upright or straight up and down. You can do this by looking carefully at the mortar joints, which should be even all along each face. If the mortar is tumbling out from between the stones, the wall is probably settling. A plumb foundation wall is crucial because it will transfer weight from your home to the ground without sagging, and if you see that occurring, run for the hills before they collapse in on you. Check whether the foundation wall has signs of wall cracking, broken or missing mortar, and settling cracks near the corners of the home; all are signs that your house's foundation is unstable. A settlement crack (in which a wall has settled unevenly) can be spotted by looking at the trim around windows and doors – if it's no longer even with the rest of the border, there's a problem.

Beams

While inspecting basement structural beams, don't just look at them—feel them. You want to make sure the beam is sturdy by tapping it with your knuckles and listening for hollow sounds. If you hear a hollow sound, there's an empty space between the joists or rafters.

If you see this issue, start walking away immediately—the structure of your home could start to collapse as soon as someone walks on that floor. You also want to make sure the beams are anchored into the foundation walls and that they fit together tightly with no gaps in spacing while remaining level with each other.

Crawl Spaces or Lofts

If you're planning on living above grade level (above ground), watching out for a crawl space or loft is crucial to home stability and safety. If your crawl space or loft is above the ground, make sure it has walls, floors, a working door, and a solid roof before moving in. The ceiling of the loft should be at least 30 inches high under any vents.

When you check out any home for purchase, check out these four areas to make sure your new house isn't going to fall down around you. Be wary of houses with issues in these areas and walk away if they turn up. If the seller refuses to repair or address them, even after being asked nicely, try reporting it as a problem to your local code authority and see if you can get them to force it.

Expert Guide to Buying an Air Conditioning System

Do you want to know the average cost of a central air conditioning system for your home? Or are you thinking about getting a split system or other types of AC unit and want to ensure you get something worthy of your money? 

Air conditioners can help filter the air you breathe. Plus, they can make you cool down and feel comfortable, especially during summer. However, an AC unit can be costly, depending on what type you will purchase. So, you have to be wise when buying and know the best type for you. This blog will give you an expert guide on buying an appropriate air conditioner for your house, so keep reading.

Air Conditioner Vs. Heat Pump

If you are looking for units that will beat the heat and give you comfort, an air conditioner and heat pump will both give you cool air. While they have the same purpose, the energy, costs, and features are different. And so, you must now the factors that need to be considered before deciding to get one for your home or office.

In heat pumps, you can cool down and heat your room when you want to. While they have a dual function, they have a higher price than air conditioners. And this is understandable, given the fact that they serve more than one purpose. The service fee for the installation is also not that affordable although this depends on the installation service providers in your area. Having said all these, a heat pump is energy-efficient, allowing you to save on the costs of electricity so overall, it is still a smart investment.

On the other hand, air conditioners convert the heat into cool air through their systems. They don't heat up your environment, but they are definitely helpful in giving you a cool room temperature. This is what most people prefer in their homes especially during the summer days. Plus, they are more budget-friendly when you compare it to heat pumps. Ac units also last a lot longer than heat pumps simply because they only focus on one purpose. So if you are looking for an investment with a long lifespan and only to cool your room, then an air conditioner will be suitable for you.

When planning to buy an air conditioner, it is also best that you know what you are looking for. Are you more concerned of the quality of the unit, the price or the overall functionality? Know the different types of air conditioners and check each of their features. Before deciding on the average cost of a central air conditioning system for your home that you are willing to spend, having an idea of what types of air conditioners to buy should be your first step.

Types of Air Conditioners

There are different types of air conditioners to choose from, and they come with advantages and disadvantages. It would be great if you consider them first before getting an AC unit. Take a look at these common types of AC unit.

Window Type

A window-type air conditioner is best for small rooms and apartments. It takes out the heat from the area and brings it outside. However, its scope is not that wide, unlike other AC types. So, it's not suitable for wide houses. Its price is about $399, which is more affordable than split systems and central air conditioning units. If you are looking to cool down a room in your house, then this type should be your smart choice. 

Split System

A split-type air conditioning system has two main pieces of equipment. The first one has to be installed indoors, and the other one will be outside. It is attractive in the house, especially if you will purchase a modern one. It also has a longer lifespan since it is installed inside, and the other equipment outside is built to withstand weather conditions. In addition, a split-type has lower maintenance than the packaged units, and some models have a self-cleaning function. The price of a split-type unit is around $2500, depending on the model and features. If you are looking for the longevity of the product, choose a split type air conditioning system.

Central Air Conditioning System

If you have properly sized ductwork that is connected to different rooms, a central air conditioning system is suitable for you. Like other types of AC units, a central air conditioner can filter the air coming into your house and give you a cool feeling. It is advisable to be installed if you have a large indoor area as long as your ductwork is properly sized and in excellent condition. You can get one for about $4000 or more.

Things to Consider Purchasing an Air Conditioner

When buying an air conditioner, there are many things you need to consider, and not the price of the unit alone.

Installation fee

Even if you manage to get an affordable one, you would still need to provide more money if the installation is costly. For this reason, you also have to include the installation fee you'll have to pay for the professionals. Depending on what type you need, you have to choose the suitable one but be wise about the other things you have to pay for.

Efficiency and Lifespan

The money you'll spend won't end on getting an AC unit and having it installed. You have to check the efficiency of the unit you will buy to ensure you save money on electricity bills. Besides that, you should also check the lifespan and, as much as possible, make a purchase that will last long. This will give more value to your money in the long run.

What is Appropriate to Your House

Of course, you have to know what is the most appropriate one for your house. Otherwise, you won't get the maximum benefits of your air conditioning unit. So, if your home has a big space and ductwork, a central air conditioner will be a great option. But if you don't, it would be better to choose a split type or window type if you only have to use it in a small room.