Foundation problems can become essentially inoperable in a surprisingly short period of time. Of course, it depends on a variety of things, including how bad the foundation problems were when you first noticed them and what foundation problems you’re dealing with.
Water-Based Problems
Hydrostatic pressure is also a force that tends to feed itself. For example, if hydrostatic pressure cracks your foundation, it is going to be easier for additional moisture to make its way into the rest of your home. As such, your internal supports may begin to show signs of damage. Similarly, your pipes may begin to leak, adding to the amount of moisture in the air. Effectively, hydrostatic pressure begets hydrostatic pressure unless you take the necessary steps to either eliminate it or prevent it from coming into contact with your foundation.
If the hydrostatic pressure in your home starts to build on itself, your foundation can begin to deteriorate at a frightening rate. It will be more difficult, after all, to curb a leak that’s formed in your foundation if there’s also a leak in your pipes to contend with. That said, repairs are not impossible at this stage. They are, however, more difficult to complete. The longer you wait to invest in these types of repairs, the more likely it is that there’ll be a point in the future where you’ll have to invest in a total foundation replacement.
Tree and Pest-Related Problems
Tree roots can have a similar impact on your home’s overall structural integrity. Roots, like burrows, destabilize the soil beneath your foundation if they are planted too close to your home’s perimeter. In turn, your foundation may sink into the gaps that these tree roots leave behind them, causing it to buckle and otherwise destabilize your home’s other structural supports.
The good news, when it comes to tree and pest-related foundation problems, is that you don’t often have to commit to a total foundation replacement to contend with your damage. Instead, you can work with the professionals in your area to determine how best you can first remove or fill the burrows beneath your home and then how to bring your foundation back into alignment.