It’s no secret that foundation issues in your home are bad news. If left unchecked, these growing problems could quite literally cause your house to fall down! But did you know that foundation issues can also lead to many more surprising problems?
As if cracked walls or an entirely compromised property weren’t worrying enough, foundation issues can lead to a plethora of seemingly unrelated, but equally stressful home setbacks. Keep on reading as we discover what they are.
# 1 – The Risk of Infestation
Did you know that small cracks and holes in your home’s foundations are a hotspot for rodent infestation? This is true even from hairline foundational cracks, as pests like termites only need a space that’s around the depth of a business card to find their way in. Signs of a termite infestation include cracks in concrete, wood that sounds hollow, and pencil-sized tunnels, all of which warrant a termite inspection as soon as possible. Termites are particularly concerning as their activity can further weaken foundations that are already struggling.
And termites aren’t the only infestation to look out for. As foundation cracks widen, you may also find yourself dealing with mice and rats. These larger rodents can use foundation problems to gain entry to your home, resulting in a serious issue that can very quickly escalate. The worst thing about foundation-based infestations is that extermination isn’t always the only solution. You’ll also want to address the foundation problems themselves to protect your home moving forward.
# 2 – Plumbing Problems
It’s no secret that foundation issues and dampness can go hand in hand, as small cracks make way for water that can lead to mould and rotting right where you don’t want it. But, fewer homeowners realise that foundation issues can also directly contribute to plumbing problems.
Shifting foundations can prove particularly problematic for your plumbing, and can result in leaking or cracked pipes that will only worsen as time goes on. Aside from leading to the need for costly plumbing repairs, the water damage that you’ll experience from this setback is extreme, and could require everything from replacement flooring to new furniture, all on top of the foundation repairs you should’ve addressed in the first place.
# 3 – Chimney Trouble
You might not think that problems happening with your home foundation would have much impact on things up top, but you would be wrong. In truth, foundation problems can lead to several chimney-based issues,
Most notably, you might notice that your chimney begins to lean and separate from your roof as your foundations shift. Large foundation-induced cracks in your chimney are also not uncommon. When this problem is left to escalate, foundational issues can even create a chimney-based fire hazard when damaged flashing and breaches in the chimney liner begin to take their toll.
All of this is to say that foundation issues are about a lot more than cracks in your walls. Let this be your reminder to address the problem today to avoid these unwanted surprise consequences.
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