One of the most important parts of your home is the foundation. Your foundation supports the weight of your entire house, and it helps to prevent moisture, pests, and other intruders from entering your home.
Water damage to your foundation is a serious problem that can lead to a range of issues, including cracked walls, sticking windows or doors, sunken floors, and even pipe bursts.
Some water damage to your foundation occurs from plumbing leaks from pipes under your slab, flooding around your exterior walls that won’t drain properly, or clogged gutters. More often, the water damage is a result of the surrounding soil changing from saturation due to more water than normal.
The home’s foundation must adjust to the change in the soil underneath it. Sometimes the change is too drastic causing abnormal house settling, and foundation cracks are the result. So, how long does it take for water to damage your foundation? This can lead to the need for house leveling services in Houston.
How Long Does It Take For Water To Damage Foundation in Houston, Texas?
The short answer is that it depends. In general, however, you can expect water to cause damage to your foundation within 3-6 months if the leak or drainage problem is not fixed. Of course, this is just a general estimate; in some cases, water damage can occur much more quickly.
The amount of time it takes for water to damage your foundation will depend on the type of foundation you have, such as a traditional slab on grade vs. pier and beam, and the severity of the leak.
Other factors include the amount of hydrostatic pressure put on the foundation by standing water and of course the climate. Larger leaks will cause damage faster. Water damage may also occur more quickly after heavy rain compared to the dry season.
The most common type of foundation in Houston is a slab concrete foundation. Concrete material is strong, and a slab foundation is the least expensive foundation option. A concrete foundation may resist water damage to your foundation at first, but eventually soils will give way to excessive moisture and also dry spells. It’s more expensive to repair a concrete foundation compared to a crawl space or basement foundation due to access for placing piers.
If you suspect that your foundation may need attention, it’s important to have it inspected by a professional in Houston as soon as possible. Ignoring a problem will only make it worse, and repair costs will increase the longer you wait. Also, should you need to sell, foundation issues will affect the appraised value of your home sale.
Cost of Water Damage Restoration
The cost of repairing water damage to your foundation will depend on the extent of the damage and the type of repairs required.
In some cases, you may only need to have cosmetic repairs done. This includes filling small crevices less than ¼ inch and repainting the foundation after repairing minor cracks.
However, if the damage is more severe, you may need to have major structural repairs done. These can be very costly if you don’t go with the right company.
If you suspect that you have water damage to your foundation, it is important to have it inspected by a professional as soon as possible and get foundation repair in Houston, Texas, as soon as possible, before the damage gets worse.
After you get repairs, don’t forget to ask about waterproofing and adequate drainage to prevent structural damage due to flooding in the future.
Preventing Water Damage to Your Foundation
Water is essential to life, but it can also be destructive. When water seeps into the foundation of a house, it can cause major damage. Learn how to keep water away from your foundation to prevent water damage.
The first step in preventing water damage to your foundation is to ensure that your gutters and downspouts are clear. Leaves and other debris can clog gutters, causing water to back up and seep into the foundation.
In addition, make sure that the ground around your foundation slopes away from the house. This will help to channel water away from the foundation and prevent it from pooling around the base of the house, ensuring proper drainage. You can also plant proper landscaping near your foundation to help “soak up” excess water from the soil.
Keep your eyes open for leaks in your under slab pipes. Whether you have a basement, crawl space, or slab foundation, you have pipes underneath your home that provide water to your home and transport wastewater to the local water treatment center or your personal septic system.
Finally, consider installing a french drain or sump pump to further reduce the risk of water damage to your house foundation. By taking these simple steps, you can help to protect your home from the damaging effects of water.
Getting Foundation Repair in Houston, Texas
A-Best Foundation Repair in Houston, Texas, has serviced the Houston area with foundation crack repair services since 1998.
A-Best Foundation has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and competitive prices. Licensed professionals will diagnose your foundation problem and perform the appropriate foundation repair in a timely manner. All work comes with a warranty to ensure customers are satisfied with the services.
If you suspect water damage to your foundation wall or any other foundation issue, contact A-Best Foundation Repair for a free inspection to start the process of restoring your foundation.
