Foundation settlement is unavoidable, thus, homeowners need to know when it’s happening so that they can remedy it. Once they assess their foundation’s movements, they can mitigate future damage. We’re breaking down the different types of foundation settlement and who to call once you notice any distortion.
Differential Settlement
Essentially, differential settlement is uneven settlement; the corners of your foundation will settle before its center. This movement can occur due to various reasons, including (but not limited to) soil consolidation and proximity of trees with deep root systems. Differential settlement is a problem because it causes cracks, which let water flow into your basement—and unfortunately, a typical household’s leaks waste thousands of gallons of water each year. If left untreated, differential settlement can result in severe structural issues. Your foundation’s cracks can worsen over time, and eventually, your foundation may even fail. To protect your home’s structural integrity, you’ll want to take care of differential settlement right away.
Tipping Settlement
You’ll know that you need to resolve tipping settlement when one side of your home tips uniformly and the other side stays in place. In other words, it’ll look as if your home is leaning, and you’ll need to address it as soon as possible. Although tipping settlement won’t lead to many cracks in the foundation, it can still cause huge problems in the future.
Uniform Settlement
Uniform settlement is rare, but it can still happen. Unlike differential settlement, your entire foundation will settle at once. The weight of your home can cause this type of settlement to take place. However, it doesn’t normally cause major issues for homeowners because all four corners lower at the same time.
Perhaps you don’t know what’s causing your foundation to settle, and that’s okay. If you see any signs of foundation settlement, it’s time to bring in the experts. The Real Seal is best known for foundation repair and basement waterproofing in the Chicago area. We’ll examine your foundation and provide you with the most suitable solution for your home. Call us today for a free consultation!
