Many homeowners blame themselves whenever they notice foundation cracks around their home. While it’s true that there are some recommended ways to prevent these cracks, it’s not always possible to prevent them all. Many changes in the environment lead to foundation shifting. Here are some instances that may lead to structural damage in your home:
- Dry weather conditions
- Any changes in the soil may upset your foundation. When the weather is dry for an extended period of time, the soil may actually begin to harden and shrink. If the drought goes on long enough, your home may begin to shift and foundation cracks may begin to form.
- When the weather is dry, it is recommended that you keep the soil around your foundation as damp as possible. Even if you are careful to water your foundation during a drought, the water may not actually be properly absorbed by the soil.
- Wet weather patterns
- On the other hand, when the weather is constantly rainy and humid, it can also have a traumatic effect on your home’s foundation. When the soil is saturated, it becomes very soft and actually begins to expand. This can wreak havoc on your foundation. When the soil expands, your foundation will shift with it.
- If you live in a humid area or are expecting more wet weather than usual, then waterproofing your foundation is a must. You can install French drains to direct the water away from your foundation. Re-grading your land may also prevent water from saturating your foundation.
- Shifting land
- It’s also possible for the earth’s plates to shift, causing disruption to the land. This normally happens during an earthquake, but it can also gradually occur without you being the wiser. Whenever the ground that your foundation has been built upon moves, you are more likely to experience foundation damage. If an earthquake has been reported in your area, be sure to have your foundation inspected.
As a homeowner, you can only do so much to prevent foundation cracks from forming around your property. Even if you do everything right, certain forces of nature may have something else in store for you.
If you suspect your foundation may have experienced trauma due to recent environmental changes, then it’s time to arrange a full inspection by a professional. Most small cracks can be repaired without incident, but larger ones may need more serious intervention to prevent structural damage to your property.
John Fahmy, President of Everdry of North Georgia / Atlanta region started at Everdry’s corporate headquarters (Ohio State Waterproofing) in 1991 as a part time customer service rep.
While working part time, John pursued his Bachelors degree in Marketing and Business Management at Cleveland State University. It was John’s mission to become the best in this industry after seeing his grandparents get scammed by a fly by night waterproofing contractor, and lose lots of money, that was not there anymore when they needed service. After only one year, John was promoted to Customer Service Manager.
After a total of 8 years in the Customer Service Department, John branched out, holding his Customer Service Manager position, while taking on new responsibilities as Assistant Marketing Director and becoming an EZ Breathe Sales rep.
In 2003, John was named Director of Shows, a job that gave him the opportunity to work directly with all of the national Everdry franchise locations nationwide, providing each office with support for their marketing efforts at trade shows.
In 2004, after 13 years with the company, John and his wife Connie took on a new challenge and took over the North Georgia / Atlanta Everdry franchise. Our goal is to provide a healthy and safe living environment in homes for the families in the North Georgia / Atlanta region.
