FOUNDATION REPAIR IN FARGO, ND

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A home's integrity is highly dependent on a solid and long-lasting foundation. After all, the foundation serves the critical duties of holding your house in place even if the earth underneath it shifts, insulating it, keeping moisture out, and keeping it level—even if your home is built on a 45-degree slope.


Don't put it off if you feel you may need a foundation repair in your Fargo, North Dakota, home. The longer you put off foundation repair, the more complicated and costly the repairs will be. 


Don't wait; even if you believe you have enough time to do the work, don't wait. Our renowned and experienced specialists at Concrete Contractors Fargo, ND, have the skills and advanced equipment necessary to help you with your foundation repair in Fargo and can guide homeowners in the right direction. 

SIGNS THAT YOUR FOUNDATION NEEDS REPAIR


You may not constantly monitor the state of your foundation, but there are sure telltale signs that something is wrong. When you notice any of these things happening, it's time to start thinking about foundation repairs:


  • Drainage issues
  • Your drywall has cracks
  • Walls that are bowing
  • Gaps in the door
  • Windows that stick
  • Your crawlspace has moisture
  • The house is being divided into walls
  • Uneven floors and sag
  • The house is infested with bugs

TYPES OF HOUSE FOUNDATIONS

There are five major foundation types and a few key differences.


1. Basement Foundations

A full basement foundation starts with a hole at least eight feet deep to allow an underground living space with floor space that equals most or all of the ground level of the house. 


The structural foundation walls will be built on concrete footings that run around the perimeter of the basement, at least 12 inches below the surface soil layer and at least 12 inches below the frost line. After that, you'll pour beams, construct foundation walls, and pour a cement slab inside the walls.


The notable benefit of a basement foundation is the additional living space it may provide; if homeowners opt to finish it, it can double the home's square footage. Basement foundations are long-lasting and resistant to fire and harsh weather.


2. Crawlspace Foundations

Protection of the home is a major benefit of crawlspace foundations. These foundations are prevalent in warmer areas. They're also a popular choice for architects developing homes in earthquake-prone areas.


While less expensive than a basement, crawlspace foundations require maintenance: homeowners must ensure that below-ground walls are free of cracks, check for leaks around plumbing systems, and install vapor barriers to keep it dry. Although crawlspace foundations are more resistant to termites due to their elevation from the ground, they are prone to mold and mildew due to the moisture that might gather beneath them.


3. Concrete Slab Foundations

A slab foundation, also known as a monolithic or mono slab foundation, is a flat concrete slab that sits on the ground and is poured into one block. The main benefit of a monolithic foundation is that it is less expensive and takes less time to build.


One significant disadvantage of slab construction is that sewer and drainage lines must be installed before the concrete is poured. To reach the pipes in the event of a sewage or plumbing problem, you'll need to cut into the slab.


4. Wood Foundations

Wood may appear to be an unusual option for a foundation, yet it became popular in the 1960s. Builders would utilize preservative-treated lumber that is both decay-resistant and simple to install. Wood foundations are faster and less expensive to build since they do not require concrete pouring or labor-intensive masonry work.


5. Pier and Beam Foundations

A pier and beam foundation is ideal for holding a home above changing, flooding, or eroding soil in coastal areas. They are frequently found in locations prone to hurricanes or heavy flooding. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FOOTING AND A FOUNDATION?

Footing and foundation are two essential terms used in building construction. However, some people continue to be confused by the difference. The simplest and most basic reason is that all footings are foundations, but not all foundations are footings. What does it necessarily mean? Let's take a look at them one by one.


Foundation:

A foundation is a structure that connects the superstructure to the ground by transferring load from the superstructure to the ground. A shallow foundation and a deep foundation are the two types of foundations.


Footing:

Commonly, the phrase "footing" refers to shallow foundations. A footing is a foundation unit made of bricks, masonry, or concrete that is built beneath the base of a wall or column to distribute weight over a vast area.

CAUSES OF FOUNDATION ISSUES

- Poor soil conditions can cause foundation problems.

One of the primary causes of foundation problems is poor soil conditions, particularly in areas where expansive soil is typical. Expansive soil, also known as expandable soil or expansive clay, is a type of soil that is quite large.


The clay composition around the foundation is affected by changes in moisture levels. Expansive earth stretches and shrinks like a sponge during rainy seasons.


- Landscaping near your foundation can cause moisture problems.

The primary cause of foundation problems is shifting moisture in the soil surrounding the foundation. While trees and plants add to the exterior appeal of your home, some have vast root systems that demand a lot of water.


Moist soil around the slab supplies water for plants while draining moisture away from the foundation of your home. Draining the soil surrounding the foundation produces soil contraction and slab settlement.


- Long-term foundation damage can be caused by plumbing problems.

Plumbing is the root cause of foundation difficulties in some properties. Because sewer lines typically run beneath the foundation, water rushes beneath the foundation when leaks occur.


Plumbing issues can allow water to penetrate the soil right beneath the property, causing long-term harm.


- Faulty construction can lead to future foundation problems.

Faulty construction might also result in foundation issues.


Homes built on fill dirt or insufficient soil compaction around the foundation will ultimately experience foundation instability. As the earth and the foundation shift, the foundation is more prone to fail.


- Poor drainage and stagnated water can cause foundation problems.

Improper drainage can also cause foundation problems. Water should flow away from your house because stagnated water in your yard or roof might cause foundation issues.


When water begins to pool in the soil, it expands and thrusts upward, causing the foundation to elevate. When the dirt starts to dry out, it compacts, causing the foundation to sink.

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