Your home's foundation is one of the most important structures since it holds the entire structure in place. So, your property's foundation must remain strong and intact. But after living in your house for a while, you might notice cracks on your home's foundation. When you do, it is advisable to hire a general contractor to repair these cracks as they appear to prevent them from expanding and compromising your home's structural integrity.

However, most homeowners will see foundation cracks and ignore them or postpone their repairs. The problem is that ignoring the need for foundation repairs can lead to serious consequences, as highlighted below.

1. Cracks Keep Spreading

Cracks in your foundation will start small and keep expanding if you don't take care of them. However, repairing these cracks does not mean applying a layer of cement over them. That's because the cracks represent a more severe issue that needs extensive repairs. For instance, vertical cracks will appear when there is tension on the foundation's concrete, while horizontal cracks are usually a result of excessive water pressure. So, ignoring foundation cracks or applying cement over them without repairing the underlying issues could lead to severe damage later.

2. Mold and Mildew Will Develop

Cracks in your foundation allow water to get into your basement. Sadly, a warm and humid basement is the perfect home and breeding space for mold and mildew. Mold growing in your house can lead to various issues. For instance, the mold will cause decaying in your home's structural elements, reducing their strength. Such damage can cause your home to collapse if not taken care of on time.

Additionally, mold spores lead to various respiratory issues, such as constant sneezing, wheezing, or a running nose. Such symptoms will be more intense for anyone with existing respiratory complications, like asthma. So, if you don't want to spend a fortune on hospital bills, it is important to get immediate foundation repairs. 

3. Repairs Become More Expensive

Some homeowners may notice cracks in their foundation and postpone repairs until they save up some money. Unfortunately, these cracks will not remain as they are but will keep spreading and going deeper daily. Sometimes a small crack can develop significantly within a week, depending on what caused it. As a result, you end up paying a lot more to repair your cracks than if you called the general contractor immediately after noticing them.

Postponing repairs or ignoring foundation problems is one of the worst mistakes you can make as a homeowner. That's because the damage to your foundation will keep developing, putting you at risk and increasing repair costs. In addition, cracks in your foundation will allow moisture in your house, promoting mold growth. However, you can avoid these problems by calling general contractors for foundation repairs.

Contact a local home improvement company, such as Burrini and Sons Contracting LLC, to learn more. 

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