House leveling is an excellent residential foundation repair method. Also called slab jacking or mud jacking, house leveling starts with excavation around damaged foundation sections. Next, a contractor runs hoses through those excavations and pours specialty grout into those pits. In some cases, hydraulic equipment might lift and level the house at the same time.
That grout also helps to float a house back into a level position. The grout then dries and hardens, providing added support over the years. To ensure you’re keeping your home in good condition from the ground up, check out 4 signs that you need to schedule house leveling ASAP.
1. Wall and ceiling cracks
As a house settles, it pulls on solid surfaces inside and out. These surfaces include interior and exterior walls and interior ceilings. In turn, you might notice cracks running along drywall, brick, and aluminum siding. Don’t simply patch over these cracks but call a foundation repair contractor for needed leveling instead. Click here to learn more.
2. Damaged flooring
Along with walls and ceilings, a sunken foundation often pulls on a home’s subflooring. Consequently, you might notice soft spots under foot or hear lots of creaking and groaning when you walk across those floors.
Additionally, floor tiles might slip out of place and hardwood planks pop away from their connectors. As with wall cracks, don’t simply patch up or repair these issues! Instead, all a foundation repair contractor for an inspection and potential house leveling.
3. Uneven door and window frames
A settling home typically pulls door and window frames out of position. You might notice doors and windows that suddenly stick, or doors that hang open on their own. Also, locking bolts might not slide into their pockets easily. Don’t assume it’s time for new doors and windows when this happens, but schedule a foundation inspection instead.
4. Sinking ground around the foundation
Structures might begin to sink when the soil around them isn’t strong enough to keep them level and even. Consequently, sinking ground around a structure’s foundation can indicate that it’s time for house leveling.
While a professional foundation inspection is your best choice for determining damage extent, a homeowner can also walk the perimeter of their property. If you notice soft soil or sinking, uneven ground in any spot, this can mean that it’s time for house leveling. Preventative maintenance such as better grading, a French drain installation, or chemical treatments to the soil can also keep it strong and help protect your home from damage.
