A solid foundation is a must; any problems with it can quickly lead to much larger problems with the entire structure of the house even to the point where the house will be dangerous to live in. As a homeowner you should at least be able to identify the most common problems, if you know the problem is of magnitude then you will be able to hire a company that offers foundation repair services in Philadelphia area before the problem gets out of hand. The three problems that occur most often are leaks, cracks and bulging or bowing of the walls.
Bulge is term most often used if the basement wall develops and outward bump while the term “bowing” refers to an inward curve of the wall; both of them are serious conditions. Both these phenomena are caused by constant expansion and contraction which is caused by changes in the ambient temperature although it is possible that the problem can be traced back to a poor job of framing when the house was built, causing uneven pressure against the wall.
Cracks in the concrete walls and floors in the basement can also be the result of temperature changes or poor framing although in many cases cracks are caused as soil beneath the foundations settles or even vibrations from nearby construction. Depending on the severity these companies that provide foundation repair services in Philadelphia can often fix them with mortar or caulk, filling the crack and then sealing it over. Minor cracks should not pose any problem to the buildings integrity and are not a cause for alarm but if they are not repaired they can lead to another problem; leaking.
Obviously water enters the basement of a home through a crack or hole somewhere in the foundation; they can be effectively stopped by repairing them and then sealing the area with a waterproof sealant. It is always best to have cracks repaired early, the longer they are left the worse the leak can get and the result is potentially a weaker foundation. Leaks may start slow, little more than a drip but with time and expansion and contraction of the foundation this will eventually become a steady stream. Leaks are the most serious after a heavy rain as the runoff works its way down the exterior face of the foundation and through the crack into the basement.
