Foundation cracks can appear suddenly as the dirt shifts underneath your home. Larger foundation cracks often pop up soon after an earthquake or severe storm. Excess water in the soil can cause settling that disturbs your foundation as well. If you notice foundation cracks in your basement or the exterior of your home, you need to have them fixed promptly to prevent further issues. If you do not have foundation cracks repaired in a timely manner, your home could suffer from weakened structural integrity, mold growth and subtle movements.
Weakened Structure
Your home should be strong enough to withstand storms throughout its lifetime. The foundation provides a lot of the support your home needs to stand strong through the toughest of storms. If your foundation’s integrity is compromised, your home may not withstand the next several storms without extensive damage occurring. If you continue to ignore the damage, your home could eventually be deemed unlivable. Taking care of problems early is easier and less expensive than waiting until problems are severe.
Mold and Mildew
Water seeping through cracks in a foundation could result in mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew can pose a serious risk to the health of everyone in the home. Skin irritations and respiratory symptoms tend to appear first after prolonged exposure to mold spores and mildew growth. Eventually, these contaminants could start to affect brain function and growth. Kids often develop asthma and learning problems after living in a moldy home for long periods.
Home Movement
If your foundation has extensive cracks in the corners or upper portions, your home may start to settle unevenly. The movement will be subtle at first, which is unfortunate. Once you notice the movement, your home may not be safe to live in until you have the cracks repaired. Furthermore, you’ll need to have your home releveled. You can prevent these problems by having all cracks filled by a basement crack repair in Maryland pro using a strong substance right as they appear.
Hire Some Help
If you are unsure about the severity of the cracks in your foundation, call a professional for help. Professionals skilled in basement crack repair in Maryland can perform a thorough inspection and give you a quote for the repair cost. The quote includes labor and materials needed to get the job done.