Home Foundation

Neglected properties often require the most extensive repairs and maintenance. Whether you’re investing in abandoned properties for reselling, preserving an old house, or renovating a newly acquired property to transform it into your dream home, we’re here to walk you through the processes and considerations that come with repairing and maintaining an abandoned home’s foundation.

Understanding the various factors that may have affected your abandoned property and led to foundation damage is the first step to restoring it to its former glory. Take a look at the list we’ve compiled to get some insight into the potential challenges your property may face:

Neglect: An abandoned home’s foundation can experience deterioration over time due to a lack of regular maintenance and upkeep. The longer it’s been neglected, the more complicated the issues are.

Soil settlement: Depending on the soil type that your property stands on, you may experience soil settlement or shifting. Due to moisture levels and environmental factors like the weather, the soil under your foundation may settle, resulting in uneven support for the rest of the structure.

Water damage: If your property’s drainage system hasn’t been checked or maintained in a long time, you may find evidence of water damage, accumulation, and leaks. These concerns can lead to mold growth and foundation deterioration over time.

Vegetation growth and large tree roots: You may find overgrown vegetation and invasive tree roots near your property’s foundation. Without regular maintenance, this can exert pressure on the soil or foundation and compromise the soil’s moisture levels, which in turn can be a cause of foundation problems.

Natural disasters and extreme weather conditions: If your property has been abandoned for a while, it has likely faced a number of natural disasters and taken a beating from extreme weather conditions. Floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and heavy storms can subject the structure’s foundation to intense pressure and strain. This can result in cracks, shifts, and structural failure. The longer these issues have been left unaddressed, the more comprehensive your assessment and repairs must be.

If a house has been left neglected for some time, it has likely developed some foundation problems that need prompt attention. Seemingly irrelevant issues like minor cracks along your concrete walls can be indications of more severe underlying concerns related to your foundation. Keep an eye out for the following warning signs:

Cracked foundation, walls, and floors: If you see any cracks—hairline cracks as well as major cracks—on the concrete blocks or masonry work forming the foundation, as well as cracks along the walls and floors in other parts of your home, you may be looking at a common sign of foundation problems. Don’t ignore minor cracks as they can turn into more severe cracks when left unchecked.

Bowing walls: Bowing or bulging walls are another indication that your foundation may be suffering from deterioration. If you notice the walls of your house bending inward or outward, it can be a sign that there’s too much pressure on the foundation from the surrounding soil. This pressure can be caused by various factors, such as poor drainage, expansive soil, or the settlement of the foundation itself.

Uneven floors: Uneven or sloping floors can also be indications of foundation problems. When a foundation becomes unstable due to various factors like soil movement and water damage, you can often find manifestations of these issues in your crooked, uneven floors.

Sticking doors and windows: Foundation issues can also manifest in your doors and windows—specifically, their sudden misalignment with their frames. You’ll notice that it’s harder for them to open and close properly as they tend to stick and drag.

Water intrusion: Have you noticed any signs of water intrusion in your home? This happens when water penetrates the foundation walls through cracks and gaps. This can lead to issues like mold growth, excessive water accumulation in improper spots, foundation upheaval, and eventually, extensive structural damage.

Pest infestations: Though you might not see them, pests like termites, carpenter ants, and rodents can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation and overall structure. They can weaken your foundation and create holes, gaps, and pathways for water and moisture to seep through. All of these can contribute to more severe and pressing foundation problems.

With proper foundation maintenance, you can likely prevent the problems we just went over. As a foundation repair company, we’ve encountered a long list of foundation issues, so we’re quite familiar with the approaches you can take to properly maintain your foundation. Here’s our top 10 tips to help you keep your foundation in good shape, regardless of the foundation type:

Our first foundation maintenance tip is to schedule a plumbing inspection. Damaged plumbing can lead to a long list of issues, including leaks, pipe bursts, water infiltration around the foundation, and moisture buildup to name a few. In an abandoned property where plumbing systems may have been inactive for an extended period of time, there’s a higher risk of plumbing issues and failure. So, having a professional perform regular inspections of your plumbing system should be one of the first things you do to restore your foundation’s health.

Once you’ve had a professional inspect your plumbing, consider installing a sound drainage system and sump pump to control water and keep it away from your foundation. Proper drainage helps prevent water from pooling around your foundation which can lead to issues that compromise its integrity. French drains or gutter extensions are great options that can direct water to its proper place.

Installing a sump pump alongside a well-designed drainage system gives you more control over water and further minimizes the risks of water damage. A sump pump works by collecting excess water and pumping it out, keeping it from accumulating near the foundation. A proper drainage system and a sump pump are foolproof methods to protect your foundation from water-related problems.

Plumbing systems aren’t the only possible water source on your property. Foundations are vulnerable to moisture and water-related issues, so make sure to look for undetected leaks in underground pipes, water lines, sprinkler systems, and irrigation systems that can turn into major problems when left unchecked.

Severe cracks or gaps in foundations can allow water infiltration, which in turn can lead to moisture buildup and soil erosion. All of these factors can contribute to potential structural damage. Foundation repair contractors may repair cracks in your property with epoxy injections or by installing carbon fiber reinforcement.

Maintain your foundation by clearing out your gutters and downspouts. Water can overflow and pool around your foundation if your gutters and downspouts are clogged by leaves, twigs, and other debris, which can lead to water-related concerns. This is especially likely for properties that have been neglected for an extended period. Consider installing gutter guards or screens that can help prevent clogging and protect your foundation.

A consistent moisture level is essential for a healthy, well-maintained foundation. Constantly changing moisture levels affect the soil, which can expand and contract. This movement can contribute to soil shifting and settling, which are common causes of foundation problems.

To protect your home’s structural integrity, consider installing an underground foundation watering system. This delivers water directly to the soil surrounding the foundation, ensuring consistent moisture levels. This is especially helpful for areas that experience dry weather. There are also other alternatives, such as installing an automatic sprinkler system or a rock bed near your foundation to ensure that the soil gets the water it needs despite the heat.

Maintain the foundation of your house against root penetration by installing a root barrier. Large tree roots grow underground and can potentially impact your foundation. To prevent this, a root barrier—usually made of thick rubber, metal, or plastic—is installed around the tree roots, keeping it from getting too close to your foundation. So, for houses surrounded by large trees (or for those thinking of planting new trees), a root barrier may be a great investment to protect your foundation from complications that may cost you a pretty penny.

Leveling the slope around your house is an essential step to keep your foundation in good shape. Neglecting to do so can lead to water pooling near your foundation. When you level the slope, you can ensure that water will be pulled away from your foundation instead of toward it. You can do this by adding fill dirt to low-lying areas or depressions in the ground around your house. Consider hiring a geotechnical engineer to ensure that the fill is properly compacted.

Even after your neglected property’s foundation has been restored, there’s still work to be done. Maintaining your foundation is a commitment that requires continuous effort. Think of it as an investment in the long-term stability and value of your home. You can avoid costly repairs and prolong its integrity by performing regular foundation inspections and promptly addressing any concern that arises.

Maintain your foundation with our expert assistance. At Powerlift, we’re committed to repairing and maintaining the integrity of your home’s foundation. We don’t just do our job correctly—we make sure our work lasts. No matter what foundation damage you’re dealing with, our qualified foundation repair professionals are ready to take on any challenge, guaranteeing unmatched quality work at a competitive price. We’re proud to offer over 30 years of industry expertise, ensuring that your foundation receives the expert care it deserves.

Call us at 800-562-5438 for a free estimate and start your foundation maintenance journey today!