Being a responsible homeowner comes with a great deal of upkeep, especially when it comes to your foundation. Your foundation is like your skeleton, as it helps to maintain the overall structure of your home. If your foundation fails, your home will no longer be livable. If you haven't already done so this summer, now is the time to consult with a local foundation company, and there are many reasons why. Regular inspections can prevent small issues from becoming major problems. Proactively addressing foundation concerns can save you significant money and stress in the long run.

Understand the Importance of a Solid Foundation

A solid foundation is crucial for the safety and longevity of your home. It supports the structure, ensuring that your home remains stable and secure. Consulting with a foundation company can help you understand the current state of your foundation and what measures, if any, need to be taken to reinforce it. A professional assessment can reveal issues that may not be visible to the untrained eye, such as internal cracks, water damage, or soil instability. Additionally, a solid foundation prevents uneven settling, which can cause various structural problems. It also enhances the overall value of your home, making it a more attractive asset. Also, a well-maintained foundation can improve energy efficiency by preventing drafts and heat loss.

Learn About Preventative Maintenance

Foundation companies don't just repair damage; they also offer services to prevent future problems. Regular maintenance can help you avoid costly repairs down the line. According to Forbes, the average cost to repair a home's foundation is between $2,250 and $8,600, or an average of $5,400. By offering preventative maintenance, a foundation company can help keep this cost to a minimum by reducing the chances of major issues. Experts can provide guidance on how to maintain proper drainage around your home, the importance of keeping gutters clean, and other practices that keep your foundation in good condition. By investing in preventative measures, you can extend the life of your foundation and protect your home. Preventative maintenance also includes regular inspections to catch minor issues before they become major problems. This proactive approach can save homeowners significant money and stress over time. Plus, maintaining your foundation can prevent related issues like mold growth and pest infestations.

Reduce the Chances of Mold Growth

One of the worst detriments to any home or business foundation is water damage. Untreated water damage can quickly lead to mold, as it doesn't take long to grow. According to CNET, mold can develop on any surface, from your drywall to your ceilings to your foundation, in as little as 24 to 72 hours. When mold sets in on any surface, such as your foundation, it can only be stopped by removing it. Otherwise, mold will continue to spread and before you know it, it can damage your foundation as it'll also begin to eat away at the wood.

Mold is also a detriment to your family’s health, whether it's inside the foundation or more visible on the drywall surface. As mentioned, mold can weaken any structure, such as your foundation, and a weak foundation is an unsafe one. Those mold spores will eventually get into the air and affect your family’s respiratory health. It can cause asthma, bronchitis, and other allergic reactions. People who normally have dormant or mild asthma may begin to have more severe attacks at home. You may experience itchy, red, and irritated eyes, coughing, and sneezing. If you come in contact with mold, it can cause rashes. Be mindful of vulnerable residents in your home, such as kids, pets, or the elderly, as they can be affected even more. Failure to address a moldy foundation in time can result in creating an unlivable home that you may not be able to sell.

Maintain Home Safety

Whether you intend to stay in a home for another year or two or age in place in the next few decades, you want a safe space for yourself and your loved ones. You can't live in a safe home with a poor foundation. When you consult with a local foundation company, they alert you about any issues regarding the integrity of your structure. After all, if a wall or ceiling were to collapse because of foundation issues, it could hurt someone in the home. In some cases, fatalities can also result.

Avoid Costly Repairs

The sooner you tend to your foundation issues, the more money you can save. After all, you may have a few cracks in your foundation that professionals can fill with sealants or cement patches. What happens if you let this problem go? Those cracks can further deepen and result in a foundation that's not level. Maybe there's an overgrown tree on your property with roots inching towards your home. Those roots can dig up a foundation and puncture your water line. It’ll be much cheaper now to remove that overgrown tree as opposed to letting it go and allowing it to dig up your foundation.

Protect Other Upgrades

If you've already put money into your home through extensive upgrades, it would be a shame to see that go to waste because you didn't tend to your foundation. Your foundation company handles lingering water damage vulnerabilities. They can suggest where your foundation, particularly your basement, is vulnerable to flooding because of a lack of reinforcement. When they reinforce your basement and other foundation areas, they can ensure that a storm won't easily be destructive to your home. Otherwise, if your home were to flood, it could ruin your beautiful wooden floors, which normally last for many years. It can create an environment where mold can spread faster throughout the space and destroy other furniture and clothing. Your beautifully painted interior walls will become ruined from this water damage.

Increase Home Value

Your home is likely your greatest asset. Therefore, you should do what you can to ensure you can maintain or increase its value. Good home value is like having money in your pocket since it builds equity. That's equity you can later borrow against for emergencies or to invest in a business. You could use home equity to help your children buy their own homes in the future. Equity can also supply the funds to further reinvest other upgrades into your home in the future. Therefore, it's worth consulting with a foundation company as they can ensure the structure of your asset is protected at all times.

Decrease Insurance Premium

Insurance is vital in protecting your home from the expenses associated with natural disasters, theft, or liability. Like any other insurance, you must pay a premium every month. However, when you take the steps to protect your home from damage, it can decrease your home insurance premium.

Your foundation is the building block of your home. Therefore, it's worth taking the time to consult with the right professionals even if you don't think there's a problem at the moment. After all, these professionals know what to look for to alert you about any minor problems that can later turn into big ones. When you need such a foundation company, look no further than Foundations First Northwest. If you live in Oregon, contact us today for foundation repair, crawlspace services, wall stabilization, and more.