Home Renovations after Foundation Repair

According to a structural engineer's assessment, approximately 25% of American homes have inadequate foundations. A foundation repair secures a home's structural integrity, but it can't erase the damage caused by the shifting. Following foundation repairs, you may still have a few aesthetic difficulties.

Once the home has a firm foundation again, repairs can begin. The majority of the projects are straightforward DIY solutions, but others may be more difficult. Following a foundation repair, homeowners should plan to do the following projects.

1. Make repairs to the walls and ceilings

Some of the most common symptoms of foundation concerns include cracks in the walls and ceilings. After the repair is completed, homeowners may discover a few new cracks. The additional marks will most frequently develop in houses with an uneven foundation. To give the home time to settle, start any projects a few weeks after the contractor complete the repairs.

For a fresh new look, fill up any gaps and repaint everything. If huge gaps or fractures form in the wall or window trim, homeowners may choose to remove and replace it. To disguise any separation between the trim pieces, use wood putty in the little spaces where they used to meet. Once the putty is dried, sanded, and painted, the gaps become imperceptible.

2. Make Door and Window Adjustments

Even after the repair, unusable or difficult-to-use doors and windows may not function perfectly. This is particularly common when the window or door was installed after the structural issues began. Once the home is steady, anything that was level in a tilting wall may become uneven. To make the window or door level and operational, remove it and rehang it.

3. Caulk around windows should be replaced.

Any movement in the house that made it difficult to utilize the windows may also strain and stretch the caulking surrounding the window. Take away and restore any caulking around windows that were difficult to open or close to ensure a tight seal. Wait until the windows are operational again before doing this project.

4. Bricks or tiles should be replaced.

Before or after the repairs, cracks might form in floor and shower tiles, as well as the bricks around fireplaces. The extent of the damage may necessitate a total replacement, but typically homeowners just need to repair a few cracked tiles. Even if the tiles are complete, loose or missing grout can occur.

5. Resolve Drainage Issues on the Outside

The rectification of any uneven soil that added to the damage is usually included in foundation repairs, but you may still have drainage concerns to deal with. Even after a repair, water that gathers around the foundation of the house will eventually become a problem. To save future costs, address any insufficient drainage as soon as possible.

The solution is determined by the scope of the issue and the nature of the drainage issue. A gutter system installation and downspout extension may be sufficient to divert water away from the house. Some homeowners may need to install drainage trenches so that water goes away from the house, or implement any of a number of other landscaping options.

Fixing interior issues like cracking walls or sticky doors ahead of a foundation repair wastes time and money. A house will never be ideal unless it has a firm foundation. We can make the necessary repairs to stabilize your home at Ram jack by American Leveling so you can have a beautiful and safe home you desire. For a free inspection and estimate, contact us now at our Oklahoma City Office.