Homeowners in Millersville are susceptible to foundation shifting due to heavy rains and potential flooding, especially during hurricane season. Residential foundations play a critical role in supporting the home, and foundation shifting is an issue that can negatively affect the safety and value of a property. Before rainy weather causes severe flood damage, homeowners should understand the signs of foundation shift from water damage, prevention measures, and who to call for water damage repair in Millersville, Pennsylvania.
Signs of a Foundation Shift from Water Damage
Homeowners should be on the lookout for signs of a foundation shift if they have recently experienced water damage. If you notice cracks in your foundations, it can be an early sign of water damage. When water dampens the soil surrounding a house, the soil expands and
Persistent odors in your home can be a sign of a major problems. If you notice an earthy, musty odor in or beneath your home, there may be water damage somewhere within your residence. This is an early sign of mold or mildew developing in or beneath your home. Removing this contaminant is important because of its danger to residents. You or your family members may experience coughing, itchy skin, and sneezing if exposed to mold.
Gaps between walls, ceilings, or floors are all signs of a home foundation affected by water damage. It is important to get these damages fixed before they become water intrusion points for your home. Cracks and crevices around your residence can allow water to seep into your basement during rainstorms, snowstorms, and other severe weather.
How Weather in Millersville, PA Contributes to Water Damage
Weather plays a role in how often water damage occurs in your home. Millersville experiences significant rainfall, increasing the risk of water damaging your residence. Heavy rainfall can cause various problems, including compromised foundation walls, mold growth, cosmetic damage, and electric hazards.
Millersville homes may experience flooding during occasional severe storms or flash flooding. The city’s drainage systems cannot handle excessive amounts of water, and overflows lead to water damage. Homeowners may notice foundation damage after a flood.
Winter freeze-thaw cycles can damage homes and exacerbate foundation issues. As temperatures fluctuate between below-freezing and above-freezing, water seeps into the soil around residential foundations. The cycle creates water intrusion points around your home. The newly created gaps, cracks, and fissures may allow water to seep into your basement as ice and snow thaw. Freeze-thaw cycles lead to interior damage, mold growth, and foundation issues that may lead to additional problems.
How Water Damage Affects a Home’s Foundation
Water damage can cause a home’s foundation to shift. Freeze-thaw cycles put pressure on residential foundations. When ice and snow thaw, water rapidly seeps into the soil surrounding a home, causing the soil to expand and exert pressure on the foundation walls. Prolonged exposure to water weakens the concrete or masonry used in the foundation, increasing the risk of cracks and shifts.
Water damage can cause mold to begin growing on your home’s foundation. Damp environments promote mold growth, a problem that leads to musty smells and health hazards. This type of water damage can also damage wooden building materials, causing rot and rapid deterioration.
Foundation Shift from Water Damage – What Causes It?
Poor drainage systems can inadvertently cause foundation shifts by directing water toward the foundation, saturating the soil, and causing soil expansion and erosion. Quality drainage systems can prevent water damage from occurring in your home. Leaking pipes and gutters cause water buildup around your home. When a pipe leaks, the surrounding soil becomes damp. Overly saturated soil can erode and cause uneven support for a home’s foundation. Over time, this will lead to foundation shifts and cracks. Standing water causes severe problems for buildings. Damp environments
Natural disasters can cause severe water damage that damages residential foundations. Flash floods, hurricanes, and tropical storms can inundate your home. The average annual precipitation in Pennsylvania ranges from less than 34 inches to more than 50 inches per year. Flooding causes soil expansion and erosion capable of shifting a home’s foundation.
If your foundation shifted from water, addressing the damage early can prevent long-term problems and additional repairs. Foundation shifts that are detected and remediated early can sometimes be corrected before the damage becomes extensive. Try to inspect your home’s foundation regularly to see if its structural integrity is still intact. Close inspections after storms and floods help you know if your foundation has shifted from water damage that will require professional attention.
Preventing Foundation Shifting Due to Water Damage
Extreme weather conditions are inevitable, but there are steps you can take to prevent water damage from wrecking your home. Installing a sump pump in basements can help quickly remove water when it builds up in the lower level of your house. Sump pumps can remove water from the area surrounding the foundation of your home, maintaining stable soil conditions around your foundation and preventing major shifts.
A sealant for water intrusion points can fill gaps and cracks to prevent water leaks. Water intrusion can cause serious problems if left untreated. Mold can start growing within 24-48 hours, and damp environments promote mold growth. Seal your residential intrusion points to prevent lasting water damage and foundation shifts.
Homeowners in Millersville should closely inspect their residences after heavy rainfall. Foundation shifts are easier to remediate if they are detected as soon as they happen. Noticing damages as soon as they happen can give you a chance to fix the situation before it leads to costly, long-term problems. Hiring a professional for foundation inspections is the best way to pinpoint shifts and damages early.
The Cost of Ignoring Foundation Shifts
Foundation repairs can be extremely costly. A damaged foundation can reduce the value of a home and cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Calling a professional company to fix foundation shifts before they become worse is essential to avoiding an expensive, invasive repair.
It can feel scary learning your home’s foundation has shifted and requires professional attention. Though this can be a stressful time, procrastinating or ignoring the issue or procrastinating scheduling repairs will only make the problem worse. Over time, foundation shifts will lead to costly repairs and indirect costs, costing your household much more than it would to fix the issue immediately.
Severe foundation damage can lead to increased insurance premiums. Filing a claim for foundation repairs can cause insurance companies to consider your home a potential risk for future claims. As a result, they will raise the price of your premium, creating additional costs that could have been avoided with swift action.
Why Choose ServiceMaster Fire and Water Cleanup Services for Foundation Water Damage Solutions
Our comprehensive extraction and drying services help homeowners dry damp environments in their homes. Standing water can create long-lasting water damage, and our experienced professionals use industry-leading technology to remove moisture and develop a solution for your home’s damages. We inspect foundations, and our emergency response services provide immediate remediation if your water damage needs professional attention. We have certified technicians on call around the clock to provide emergency water damage remediation. Contact us today to schedule an inspection or request immediate assistance.
