Owning a home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is a great investment. Not only is OKC an up-and-coming city with plenty of job opportunities, the cost of living is also 15% below the national average. However, homeownership in Oklahoma City comes with its challenges, just as it does anywhere else. One of those challenges is maintaining your home’s foundation and getting it repaired promptly if there’s a problem.
We’ll discuss the signs that you may need house foundation repair in Oklahoma City, as well as some signs that your foundation repair may be able to wait. For further insight about home foundation repair, visit our website at betterfoundationrepairokc.com.
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What to Know About Your Foundation
Depending on what type of house is being built and where, there are several common types of foundations that a house may have. It’s important to know which type of foundation your house sits on so that you know what potential problems to keep an eye out for. In Oklahoma City, your house likely sits on one of these two types.
- Concrete slab foundations. Concrete slabs are one of the most common types of foundations. They are usually four to six inches deep and are common in areas with sandy soil like Oklahoma.
- Basement foundations. Basement foundations are typically made of concrete poured into the ground at the start of construction, using a mold to create a floor and walls. Basements can give residents an additional hangout space in their home, as well as a storm shelter from the types of tornadoes that Oklahoma sees in the spring.
Cracking Walls
Cracks in your walls are one of the biggest indicators that you require house foundation repair. They may start out small, and cracks smaller than ⅛ of an inch are typically not a huge concern. You may even be able to fix small cracks by injecting epoxy into them. However, larger cracks indicate that your foundation is starting to weaken.
Often, the soil around a house will expand and shrink depending on the level of moisture in it. When it expands, it can press in on the sides of your foundation, creating enough pressure to crack it. Foundations can also crack due to age or erosion, so just keep an eye out for cracks appearing in walls or floors.
Read also: Are Steel Piers Better Than Concrete for Foundation Repair?
Sagging or Uneven Floors
When a foundation sinks into the ground, the floors sink with it. The occasional creak in your floor is usually nothing to worry about, but uneven or sagging floors can be cause for concern. If you notice dips, especially if they seem to be getting worse, it’s time to call a foundation repair company near you.
Sticking Doors and Windows
When the seasons change, you might notice that your doors and windows start to stick slightly. This is normal with temperature changes, as wood expands and contracts with temperature changes. However, if the sticking is severe to the point where a door or window is impossible to open, you may have a foundation problem on your hands.
Read: What are the Top Foundation Beam Repair Methods
When a foundation shifts and moves the floor, it may sag or shift upwards, throwing doors and windows out of alignment. Often, sticking doors indicate a foundation that has sunk into the ground on one side and become uneven.
Leaks, Puddles, or Mold in the Basement
As a general rule of thumb, there should never be water in your basement, so if you spot any leaks or puddles, something is probably wrong. Either you have a leak from an appliance or plumbing, or there’s water being let into the basement somewhere through cracks in the foundation.
Mold growth happens faster than you think, especially in basements and other damp, cool areas. In fact, mold can start growing in 24-48 hours after the initial occurrence of water damage. There are several types of mold, but most of them have one thing in common: they are a risk to the health of humans and pets. Mold releases spores into the air which can then make you sick when you breathe them in. Not only should you call a foundation repair company if you find mold in the basement, you should also call a mold remediation company and have it removed as soon as possible.
Can My Oklahoma City House Foundation Repair Wait?
Sometimes, emergencies come at inconvenient times. You might end up with a foundation problem at a time when your budget is too tight to fit the repair in, or while you’re dealing with a family member visiting- life happens, and sometimes things need to wait. Here’s how to tell whether your foundation repair can or can’t.
- Small cracks- YES. Though foundation cracks are cause for concern and should be inspected as soon as possible, cracks under ⅛ of an inch are generally too small to cause many issues. Be sure to take note of where they are and check on them occasionally to ensure that they’re not getting bigger. Taking photos is helpful as well.
- Water damage- NO. As soon as you notice leaks, water damage, or flooding, you already have a problem. If you don’t address it quickly, it could turn serious in no time. The last thing you want is a flooded basement to deal with on top of your foundation problem.
- Sagging floors- IT DEPENDS. When you first notice a bit of a dip in your floor, you may be able to put it on the back burner for a few months, but keep an eye on it. If the area of the floor that’s sagging feels especially weak or is getting worse by the day, you’ll want to address it as soon as you can.
- Bulging walls- ABSOLUTELY NOT! If your walls are bulging inwards, that’s a sign that you already have a very serious foundation problem and you need to call a repair company right away.
If you’re on the fence about whether you need house foundation repair in Oklahoma City, it’s a good idea to call a local foundation company and schedule an inspection. A professional will be able to tell you definitively whether your repair can wait or whether it should be done right away.
