Can You Live in the House During a Foundation Repair
Your home endures much throughout the years. With constant exposure to natural elements, something is bound to give in over the years. The foundation inspection is one of the essential elements of a home inspection. A house inspector can help discover your house's hidden problems and let you know what needs fixing. Bad weather conditions are some of the leading causes of house damage. Earthquakes and soft soil, in particular, can cause major foundation damage. A damaged foundation is one of the biggest safety hazards of any home and should be fixed as soon as possible. However, can you live in the house during a foundation repair?
What is a house inspection, and why is it important?
A house inspection involves calling a professional inspector to check the health of your home. There are several types of home inspections that differ in how much detailed they are. Whether you are living happily in your current home or are planning to move into a new one, a home inspection should not be avoided. It lets you get acquainted with the current overall state of the house. If you’re a buyer, this will let you know if the house is worth the price and safe to move in. As the owner, a home inspection will let you know what needs fixing or replacing around the house.
What are the signs of foundation issues?
One of the most obvious signs that your house has foundation issues is the occurrence of cracks in the walls. As the house shifts, uneven pressure is being put on the walls of the house, causing them to crack.
Additionally, if your windows and doors become crooked, that is, more difficult to open and shut, this might be another sign of foundation issues. Uneven floors are another indicator that something is wrong with the foundation. If they start to look uneven or are cracked, it might be time to call for a home inspection.
What does a foundation repair involve?
Typically, a foundation repair involves adding supports underneath the foundations of the house. When a house is built, it takes a while before it settles into the soil it is built on. When it is settled, the house can experience some damage due to the pressure being put at certain points. This is how you can get cracks in the walls and crooked doors.
For more significant foundation issues, the workers will have to dig several holes in the floor of your house and place support beams where the load-bearing walls are. This will resecure your home and prevent the walls from shifting further. These repairs take longer and are much louder and messier.
Is it possible to stay in the house during a foundation repair?
Fortunately, in most cases, you can safely remain in your home while the repairs are being done to your foundations. The sooner you discover the issue, the faster and easier it will be to have it fixed.
This is why home inspection shouldn’t be skipped. Most of the time, foundation repairs involve digging around the exterior of your house and installing support piers. The repairs will be loud, so don’t forget to notify your neighbors that you will have repairs done around the house. Luckily, the majority of foundation repairs are done in a day or two.
However, many people prefer to leave their homes while the repairs are being done. Some work from home, and the loud noise disrupts their work, while others might simply be annoyed by the noise. Others leave due to safety precautions.
In case of major issues with the foundation, you should not live in the house during a foundation repair. As mentioned before, such repairs are much louder and messier. Holes will have to be cut in your floors so that additional supports can be added underneath. Machinery is also brought for this kind of repair, causing even more noise.
How to prepare for the foundation repairs
Major foundation repairs will require you to free up the house for the workers. This means that you will have to pack up and relocate for a few days. Consequently, this raises another question: How long does it take to pack a house when moving? Organizing the packing, moving out, and having the foundation fixed will take a lot of work and preparation. Therefore, you should decide on a timeline for when you will do what so you don’t get overwhelmed.
Pack everything on time and plan out where you will stay before the workers arrive so everything goes smoothly. It would be best if you moved your bags to your temporary accommodation beforehand. This will allow you to welcome the workers in when they arrive without having bags and suitcases lying around.
Final thoughts
Throughout the year, your house is exposed to a plethora of weather conditions that will wear it out over time. Issues with the foundation are never pleasant and should be fixed as soon as possible. Luckily, in most cases, you can remain inside your house during the foundation repairs. Remember to notify your neighbors that you will have workers coming over and that there will be a lot of noise for a day or two.
In case there are major issues with foundations, you will have to temporarily move out. Hiring a trustworthy home inspection company can get you reliable information about the state of your foundations. Professional home inspectors will also advise you on how to best deal with other issues that your house might have. They can tell you what needs to be fixed immediately and what can wait.
All in all, the question of whether you can live in the house during a foundation repair heavily depends on the type of work that your foundations require. Your safety should always be a priority. Therefore don’t feel obligated to remain inside the house if you don’t want to, even if the repairs are minor.
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