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There have been questions about why many houses in the US pose serious risks to inhabitants. Statistics indicate that 6 million homes in America have structural problems that haven’t been tackled. That may leave you wondering why this seems rampant around the country. Indeed, most of it boils down to neglecting the home maintenance needed to enhance the structural stability of your home. Hopefully, the points below will give you some peace of mind.

1. Cracked concrete

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Drywall crack repair is important for several reasons. Cracks in drywall can be unsightly and diminish the overall aesthetic appeal of a room or property. Repairing these cracks helps restore the smooth and uniform appearance of the walls, enhancing the visual appeal of the space. Drywall cracks can be indicative of underlying structural issues, such as foundation settlement or excessive movement. Addressing these cracks early on can prevent further damage and potential safety hazards. Concrete is a durable construction material that builders always rely on for various projects, as it ensures the sturdiness of a structure. Across the United States, 10% of homes are concrete-framed, as more builders gradually move from wood-framed options. However, there are things to be mindful of, irrespective of concrete's tremendous durability.

For example, concrete expands and cracks in hot weather. Excess atmospheric heat rapidly draws water from the ground up, putting pressure on the concrete. The initial cracks are tiny but get deeper and wider over time. Homeowners are reminded to inspect their buildings during the summer, especially heatwaves. Signs of serious cracks in your concrete could mean expansion is happening at a rapid pace. Fortunately, you can act on these by getting experts to carry out concrete repair works.

Repeated freezing and thawing during winter can affect your concrete walls and the foundation. It causes moisture to increase within the concrete, gradually weakening your home’s structural stability. Moreover, concrete also cracks in extremely cold weather because of the expansion. Just like you do during the summer, getting experts to check for signs of cracks in winter is vital. These can be resolved by epoxy injection, gravity filling and grouting.

2. Damaged sill plates

Sill plates are the bottom horizontal structures or boards upon which walls and buildings are set. When a wall is being constructed, the first thing that is done is to build a bottom horizontal layer before the vertical elements are laid. Although sill plates provide additional reinforcement for the entire structure, they can cause safety issues when compromised.

How can you tell that your house has damaged sills? According to experts, this is usually detected in the saggy appearance of windows, flooring, and misaligned siding. Sometimes, they manifest as jagged cracks within the stucco (decorative coating for walls). When you notice any or all of these signs, it is time to replace or repair your sill plates. Doing this strengthens the base of vertical structures within the building. Now that is something you want for your house.

3. Basement maintenance

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Data indicates that 98% of basements in US homes will experience varying levels of damage at some point. News reports also say that damage occurs during home occupancy. That isn’t pleasant news for homeowners, as the basement is the closest part of the house to the foundation. Therefore, any damage there increases the risks of a compromised groundwork.

In many cases, water damage is the culprit for problematic basements which can be fixed by water damage restoration Denver. It explains why homeowners take up various waterproofing projects to secure structural stability. Your best bet is to find basement water damage companies to carry out any essential work that has to be carried out.

Photo by Blue Bird: https://www.pexels.com/photo/couple-holding-paint-rollers-7218019/