When it comes to homeownership, house settling is just one of the many maintenance issues that you’ll need to consider. House settling occurs when a home gradually sinks into the ground, especially over long periods of time. While this doesn’t always cause issues, the destabilization of the foundation can result in cracks, creeks, and nuisances. Slanted flooring will lead to uneven navigation or difficulty with opening or closing doors. If the settling conditions are poor enough, some pipes might burst or structures could collapse from the built-in pressure. Here, we’ll be going over how this will end up costing a homeowner a lot of money in the long run.
House Settling Will Lower the Resale Value of the Home
Should you decide to sell your settling home, then potential buyers will likely notice the structural issues that come with the settling. Visitors tend to notice uneven flooring, loud creeks, or large cracks in the floor. This will lower the resale value of the home, costing the seller thousands of dollars.
The best way to avoid this issue would be to build a sturdy foundation that isn’t prone to settlement. The most common cause of house settling is poor water drainage; an excess of rainwater exposure can erode the inner structures. Make sure that you have a solid drainage system that moves water drainage away from the foundation. If the house is already settling due to a poor foundation, then there are some ways to combat or stall this issue, including renovation. Professionals such as Atlas Master Co can help repair foundations before the damage becomes more significant. Taking care of small foundation cracks will help you avoid the need for more costly repairs in the future.
Repair and Maintenance Fees Can Be Expensive
Should you decide to fix or renovate the problems associated with house settling, then you’ll either need to hire a professional or perform the repairs yourself. If you’re not already experienced with house repair, then it’s highly recommended that you hire someone who’s already familiar with the ins and outs of foundation repairs. A repair professional should be able to fix any cracks in the flooring, rebuild the floor from scratch, trim any misalignments, or patch up any cracks in the foundation or the walls. Foundation repairs can cost a homeowner anywhere between $2,000 to $7,000, with the national average being $4,500. Water leak damage from the cracks can also be expensive, with homeowners paying anywhere between $350 to $50,000.
If you begin to notice your house settling, contact a professional as soon as possible. As your house gradually ages, it’s important to keep up with repairs before they become too big to handle. Inspecting your home for small issues will help keep it intact for years to come.