Settlement
Many homeowners want to know what caused their floor and wall gaps, and this kind of structural problem is typically a result of foundation settlement. This structural problem can be a result of numerous conditions. Either you have very weak or very wet soil around your home, or maybe your home’s base wasn’t built with the best materials. Regardless of what has caused the problem, we are here to help with foundation piers. We cannot stress enough how important it is to have structural problems taken care of ASAP before the damage gets worse. Many times, homeowners will choose to ignore their floor and wall gaps in hopes that the problem doesn’t get any worse. The longer you wait to get this sort of issue taken care of, the more expensive it’s going to be to have it fixed. Also, it’s going to take much longer.
So, why do foundations settle? The soil around your home is made of a variety of materials. It could be clay, sandy, or even silty in texture and appearance. Sandy soils let water easily pass through, whereas clay soils quickly absorb the moisture. Clay soil is notorious for swelling when it becomes full of water, and this can put a lot of pressure on your foundation. Over time, this pressure could cause your home to move about and settle into the soil. Also, this pressure, known as hydrostatic pressure, could lead to bowed basement walls.