Have you notice that the walls in your home are slightly bulging? You are likely dealing with a foundation problem that must be repaired in a timely manner if you want your walls to stay up. Foundation underpinning is a procedure that can be done to fix a foundation problem. This article will answer questions about foundation underpinning so you will gain a better understanding of what it is.

What Leads To Bulging Walls In A House?

Bulging walls can occur when the foundation is no longer stable enough to support the weight of a house. The problem will usually stem from the soil that is under the foundation becoming too soggy to support the concrete foundation. If you live in a rainy area and don't have functional rain gutters on your house, it is easy for water to saturate the soil under the foundation. It is important to have yard drains to prevent the soil from getting overly saturated as well. Bulging walls can also happen if you have added an additional story to your home that is producing more weight than the original foundation was designed to handle.

What Is Foundation Underpinning?

Basically, foundation underpinning is done to make the groundwork that your home is sitting on stronger by reinforcing the soil with a solid material. There are a few ways that underpinning can be done, including by placing extra concrete under the foundation for extra support. A contractor can also perform foundation underpinning by adding beams along with extra concrete to provide even more support for your house. For instance, the contractor will lay concrete under the existing foundation and install a base. He or she will then install a beam that is used for supporting your home and transferring the weight of it into the base.

What Can Happen If Foundation Underpinning Is Not Done?

If you don't invest in foundation underpinning, the slight bulge that you see in your walls will continue to get worse. As the walls continue to bulge, you may also begin to see cracks developing. You must get the foundation repaired before cracks developing because the walls could cave in if you don't. Some of the other problems that might occur include doors getting stuck and windows becoming harder for you to open. Make an appointment with a contractor so he or she can inspect your foundation and perform underpinning before the walls in your house collapse.

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