If foundation damage occurs in a home after it has been constructed, soil conditions are often blamed for damages such as cracked walls rectify.net.au/underpinning-melbourne/, settled slabs and foundation walls which buckle or tilt. The soil conditions can certainly cause damage. But sometimes, during the construction phase, errors are made that weaken slabs, walls, and foundation footings. This makes these elements more vulnerable to soil pressures and soil movements that occur later. Here are some common construction problems that can lead to foundation issues later in the life span of a house. Weather that is wet. The contractor starts by digging a huge hole for the basement foundation. He then prepares forms to pour concrete on. Then, it started to rain. The soil is muddy, and some of it even washes from beneath the forms. It’s possible that the footings will not have enough support in some places if the soil is wet. The footings could crack or settle more easily when the weight from the house is applied.

Missing rebar. Rebar is needed for concrete footings and wall reinforcement. Building codes set minimum standards for steel reinforcement, including the size, spacing and location of rebar. An engineered base will also have more steel. The concrete will crack more easily if it isn’t reinforced properly. Walls with voids in the concrete. Special power equipment is required to vibrate the concrete as it’s poured into wall formwork. A lack of vibration will prevent the liquid dense mix from flowing into all the areas of the forms. If you don’t cover the entire formwork, any air pockets will result.

Slabs which cure too fast. A freshly poured slab of concrete will often need to be misted and covered in warm weather so it does not dry too quickly. In the event that the contractor does not follow these steps, it will make the slab weaker and more prone to cracking. Freezing. Concrete must be poured in freezing temperatures using aerated special concrete. In the absence of this, the expanding force of frozen water will cause cracks to appear and the concrete will weaken as it cures. Backfilling is done too soon. The excavation of a foundation wall should not be backfilled before the first floor is framed, and until the concrete can withstand the weight from the soil. A foundation wall that is backfilled too soon may crack or bow inward. You can fix foundation issues permanently by hiring the right contractor. No matter the cause or how the damage occurred, you can have it repaired permanently with the help of a foundation specialist. These professionals are equipped with the necessary training, tools and materials to deal with any foundation damage. The problem is not too abstract to them as they’ve probably dealt with it before.