Drought Affects Your Home’s Foundation

As rainfall continues to elude Kansas City and parts of the Midwest, we are all suffering the consequences of the drought. And one of the greatest prices we are paying is in our property foundations.

At Gordon Energy & Drainage, we see a variety of both horizontal and vertical foundation cracks this time of year. As the ground around a property dries out, the change in the moisture level causes the soil to crack and shrink. When this happens, the soil pulls away from a foundation causing it to shift and settle. That’s when the cracks start to appear as pieces of the foundation begin to break away from the rest of the structure. If left untreated, these cracks can cause incredible damage to the property down the road.

In order to prevent this from happening, it’s important to keep an eye on your foundation and watch for developing cracks. Once you spot them, take care of them right away in order to avoid major structural damage. Make time to check your property regularly for the following symptoms:

Diagonal cracks in a wall’s sheetrock.

Ceiling cracks.

Sticking doors and windows.

The pulling away of cabinets, trim and baseboards.

Uneven floors.

Exterior cracks in brick and mortar.

Separation of siding or brick from doors and windows.

If you spot any of these, contact Gordon Energy & Drainage and let us take a look. When these breaks and cracks allow a large area of the foundation to move and separate from the rest of the property, it may require us to mechanically stabilize “underpinning” and lift the foundation. Thankfully, as one of our specialties, we can perform this task with efficiency and excellence and ensure the safety and restoration of your property.

This month, enjoy the summer sun and warmth, but take our advice and pay attention to the foundation of your property. Keep an eye out for potentially harmful cracks and don’t delay in having them repaired. Call Gordon Energy & Drainage today!