Can Flooding Cause Foundation Damage? Advice for Cary Residents

How Flooding Can Jeopardize Your Foundation

When your property is in a location prone to flooding, there are certain things you must know. Flooding can wreak havoc on your property if given the time and space to do so. Following a flood, you may find rotting drywall, flooring, and even structural wood.

With that said, there is one part of your house that you never want to see affected by flooding and that’s the foundation. A building’s foundation is crucial because it makes it stand in the first place. Unfortunately, flood water can jeopardize its integrity, and your home can come apart at its core as a result.

Let’s take a look at the impact flooding can have on your home.

Cracks

You may notice cracks in your foundation of various shapes and sizes. Minor cracks can appear in almost every foundation and they are often not cause for alarm. Cracks that are less than one-eighth of an inch wide are usually not structurally-compromising.

However, larger cracks are signs of potential danger and may be indicative of future disasters. When a few small cracks start showing on your foundation after a heavy rain, the building could be giving you a sign that rains are putting pressure on its core, making your property prone to further deterioration from groundwater floods.

Settling and Sinking

Larger cracks pose a more serious threat. Big cracks are an indication that the land beneath your home has started to give in or move. When the earth under your foundation is no longer steady, the building will break and form large and visible cracks.

Additionally, the fact that there are no visible cracks to your foundation is not a guarantee that your home is free from foundational damage. Weak points in the building could indicate that the foundation may be shifting.

If you notice any of the following, seek out the help of a professional:

• A leaning or separated chimney;
• Small cracks around your doors or windows;
• Cracks in brickwork, particularly brickwork stairs;
• Cracks in your drywall or ceilings; and
• Doors or windows that jam or stick (usually a sign that they’re no longer evenly lined up).

A faulty foundation can cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix. You may also be forced to leave your home until the repairs are completed. In some cases, foundational displacements have caused buildings to collapse, leading to immense property loss, severe injury, and even loss of life.

If you notice that something is out of place with your foundation, seek the assistance of a home foundation expert. Have them take a look at potential irregularities before the next significant rain happens.