Foundation problems can be among the most costly home repairs to complete. As such, you may want to bury your head in the sand and avoid the fact that a repair is needed. But, as tempting as this is, this is never something you should do. According to Clever, a home listing and buying site, when properly installed, wood foundations should last 5 to 40 years. Concrete foundations can last even longer. Problems can develop at any time for a wide range of reasons. Here are some of the reasons why you shouldn't ignore foundation problems and should call foundation companies to make the needed repairs as soon as possible.

1. Problems Will Only Worsen Over Time

The number one reason why you should never ignore foundation problems is that they do not go away. Not only do they not go away, they will actually worsen over time. This means that a small foundation crack can turn into a larger crack. A sinking foundation will continue to sink. The problem will not solve itself and the problem will not stop growing. The issue will be at its smallest and most inexpensive to repair when you first discover it. The size of the damage and the cost to replace it will only increase from there.

2. Structural Issues Can Develop

Foundation problems can lead to major structural issues with your home. In fact, foundation issues that are left to sit for long periods of time have actually led to homes literally caving in or falling apart. While it will take a lot of neglect to get to this point, it is not something that you want to mess around with. You want to get the repairs made quickly so you do not encounter major structural problems.

3. Your Plumbing Can Be Affected

In addition to structural issues with your home, foundation problems can affect some of the other major systems in your home if they're not addressed by foundation companies. One of these systems is the plumbing in your home. As your foundation cracks, shifts, or sinks, it can affect the pipes in your home. Foundation issues can cause pipes to break, become unaligned, collapse or even become disconnected from the water fixture they are connected to. If a pipe bursts or breaks, you can experience flooding in your home. If a pipe collapses, fresh water may not be able to enter your home or sewage may not be able to exit the home.

4. Roof Leaks Can Develop

Another important component of your home that can be negatively affected by foundation problems is your roof. Your roof is the furthest thing from your foundation, so you may initially fail to see how the two are connected. However, if your foundation starts to shift, sink or move, it can cause cracks to develop in your roof. Once the cracks start to form, roof leaks are not too far behind. Unfortunately, if your foundation has damaged your roof, you will likely need to replace your roof, as the damage is usually too extensive to repair.

5. Your Electrical Systems Can Encounter Problems

Another major portion of your home that can be affected by foundation issues is your electrical system. Most electrical wiring runs behind walls and may run into the crawlspace in your home. As the foundation moves the structure of your home, electrical wires can start to shift or fray. If water enters your home, either through a roof leak or through the crawl space, the wires can become damaged. All of these issues can lead to lights flickering in your home, outlets failing, or even power not working in certain parts of your home.

6. Foundation Issues Can Lead to Water Issues

Foundation companies should be called in as soon as foundation issues are noticed to help prevent structural issues and issues with major components. But, in addition to these reasons, foundation issues need to be repaired quickly because they can lead to water issues. One of the most common reasons why water floods into basements or crawlspaces is because there are cracks in the foundation. When it rains, water seeps through the soil and sits right on the foundation crack. Eventually, the water makes its way through the crack and leads to water issues in the basement or crawlspace. Mold or mildew can also start to form thanks to the sitting water, which presents health issues and the need for mold remediation services.

7. Your Property Value Can Decrease

If you plan on putting your home up for sale, you need to be extremely mindful of foundation issues. If a home inspector tells a potential buyer that there are foundation issues, or if you have noticeable foundation issues, it can drastically decrease the value of your home. Foundation problems can be expensive to fix, and as such, that is accounted for in the price that someone will pay for your home. Hiring foundation companies to fix the issue before listing your home is strongly advised.

8. Your Energy Costs Can Increase

One of the lesser-discussed issues associated with foundation problems is that these types of issues can lead to an increase in energy costs. When there are cracks in your foundation, the heated or cooled air in your home can escape through these cracks. It can also work in reverse, and cold winter air or hot summer air can enter your home through these cracks. Both of these issues cause your home's heater or air conditioning unit to have to work longer, which increases your energy costs.

9. Insects Can Infest Your Home

Insects and pests are another issue related to foundation problems that are not usually discussed. When you have cracks or gaps in the foundation of your home, it creates an opening that pests can enter through. Pests are drawn to your home because it is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you frequently have pests in your home, and you cannot figure out how they are entering your home, you may want to call in foundation companies to inspect your foundation and see if there are any cracks in the foundation that pests are entering through.

10. Your Curb Appeal Can Be Negatively Affected

The last and final reason why you shouldn't ignore foundation problems is that foundation issues can have a negative impact on the curb appeal of your home. Foundation issues can cause cracks to develop on the siding of your home. This can crack or peel paint and make your home look like it is not properly cared for. Foundation issues can also affect the landscaping in your yard. You may develop cracks in your yard, which can make your grass die or cause trees to lean. All of this can decrease the curb appeal of your home.

If you see cracks around the base of your foundation, notice your floors are starting to slope, have problems with windows or doors sticking, or smell moisture in your crawlspace or home, you may be dealing with foundation problems. Foundation issues will only worsen with time. This increases the issues you experience and increases the cost associated with repairing the problems. If you are experiencing foundation issues, foundation companies can inspect your foundation and let you know what type of problem you are dealing with. When you need help, turn to us. Call Foundations First Northwest now to make an appointment for a foundation inspection.