Before considering slab foundation repair, here are four common myths to be aware of.
1. The Foundation Is Not the Problem
In most instances, the soil beneath the slab is really the problem. In essence, foundations do not move unless the ground beneath them does.
2. Water is the Variable
A slab foundation will follow the movement of the soil, so the soil only moves when it is desiccating or hydrating. To put it simply, when the soil becomes moist, it swells and then as it dries, it compacts or shrinks. While it is unfeasible to segregate a home from rain, even hydration of the soil is the secret. Therefore, water is the variable that makes a property’s soil dynamic, and it is the ground that can result in a slab foundation repair in Houston, TX.
3. Voids Are Not a Problem
Many homeowners wonder if the voids under the slab are filled once the foundation is lifted. The load, however, is on the beams and concrete slabs tend to have a dense beam around the outside and placed in a grid-like pattern, so the mass of the property rests on the beams.
4. Cracks Can’t Tell Where the Problem Is
Homes that require a slab foundation repair will often manifest cracks. Sometimes, those cracks are small, and other times they are incredibly visible to the naked eye. A foundation crack is a hinge, or rather, a relief point for movement in the slab. Usually, the issue is not where the crack is located, but rather where the movement is that has caused it.
It is important to be aware of shifts in a home’s foundation as sometimes there is no time to bring out an estimator or get a bid, so knowing how to conduct a visual inspection can save time and money whenever it is necessary to do so.