Crawl Space and Foundation Repair in Hickory, NC

Any form of structural damage in your home can become worse, especially if left alone for a long time. Although concrete is strong, it is not the perfect material. It still requires some annual maintenance from a local expert. This allows it to be inspected every once and a while, as well as repaired when it needs to be. 

Structural Damages 

Once a crack has formed on your foundation wall, it always has the potential to grow larger and wider, especially if left alone. Cracks in foundation walls can extend to foundation floors, and, after years and years of neglect, they can even reach other areas of your home. You do not want this to happen to you, as structural damage in more than one area can be dangerous. 

Structural damage also can cause your home to become uneven as well. This can happen via sinking, heaving, or tilting, depending on where the damage is found and how bad it is. Not only is this incredibly unsightly, but also this can make your home unsafe to inhabit. 

Water Damages 

Any opening in your foundation wall is an invitation for water to enter through. Water damage is quite common and can be one of the most expensive damages to repair. Some of these include:  

• Mold and mildew 
• Wood rot 
• Musty odors 
• Water stains  

Leaks and floods also can introduce pests, both big and small. Many common insect pests are attracted to wet, humid environments, and cracks in foundation walls are the perfect way for them to enter your home. Larger pests, such as rodents, also can be tempted to enter your home through any available openings. 

Maybe you or someone you know has a basement rather than a crawl space. Basements can also be affected by moisture and humidity. If moisture enters your basement through leaking pipes or a crack in the basement walls, this can certainly cause humidity to rise in your home. Just like with a crawl space, the warm air will rise into the other areas of your house. Your HVAC will do its best to maintain temperature and will have to work harder as the warm air travels.  

You may think that a vapor barrier and encapsulation are the same thing. While they often go together, the truth is that they are two distinct things. 

Vapor Barrier 

A vapor barrier is just one piece of equipment used when you’re encapsulating your crawl space. It’s a particularly crucial factor, to be sure, but it’s not the only step an expert will implement when they waterproof your home. 

The possibility of groundwater evaporating in the crawl space is reduced by a vapor barrier. A layer of plastic is placed across the crawl space surface and overlapped at the joints. Moisture can penetrate the vapor barrier and enter the crawl space if vapor barriers are not sealed. That’s why it’s a smart idea to have a professional install them, so there are no accidental gaps. 

Encapsulation 

Encapsulation is the umbrella term used for when waterproofing measures are used to seal your crawl space away from moisture, pests, and other factors. This process involves, as the name suggests, fully encapsulating your crawl space. It reduces the amount of dampness in the area, lowering your risk of mold. Moreover, the expense of heating and cooling a home with a dirt crawl space is higher. This is because wet air requires more energy to cool or heat, and more energy implies higher energy costs. 

Encapsulation helps clean the air in your crawl space while improving the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling systems, lowering energy bills, and providing other advantages. Since it offers a barrier that prevents gas from gathering in the crawl space, an encapsulated crawl space protects against hazardous radon gas. Encapsulation itself often includes a vapor barrier, sump pump, dehumidifier, and other gear to cap it off.

At Dry Pro, we don’t recommend attempting to do any concrete repairs on your own. You may be able to perform certain activities around the house on your own, but lifting concrete is not one of them. You must ensure that the luster of your concrete surfaces is returned promptly and effectively. If you have concrete settling concerns, you should contact a professional concrete lifting and repair business, especially for an area as prominent as your home’s driveway. Don’t put your driveway in the wrong hands, hire a reputable company.