6 Best Foundation Repair Tips for Seniors

As homeowners, we assume that home is the safest place to be. And for many intents, it is. But as we grow older and our homes settle into the earth, certain things that used to be minor inconveniences now become major struggles—or worse—safety hazards. 

It’s important to know that these issues aren’t irreversible and that there are ways to protect a home and its inhabitants from harm. By repairing and optimizing your home’s foundation, crawl space, basement, or even gutters, you can make life a lot easier for you or your aging loved ones. And most importantly, everyone can enjoy the benefits of a secure, more accessible home.  

In this article, we’ll go over some common accessibility issues that are caused by foundation problems, and how fixing them can make a huge difference for you or your senior family members.  

Uneven floors are a common problem sign of settlement in homes. Differential settlement is when the soil beneath your home shifts due to varying moisture levels. This can weaken soil, causing air pockets and a generally weak support system for your home. When this happens, some portions of your home will sink quicker than others because of the uneven soil moisture composition below. This is how you get floors that are sloping or uneven.  

This can be a safety hazard for older adults, as uneven floors can be a tripping hazard and throw off anyone’s equilibrium. Foundation experts can fix this by applying helical or push piers below the foundation.

Pier systems are galvanized steel rods drilled into the ground to be supported by bedrock. They provide a permanent support system for your home so that it won’t have to rely on finicky soil to keep it standing. Piers can also potentially even out your floors, creating a safer environment.

From the 1950s to the 1990s, it was common to install vents or openings in crawl spaces to promote airflow. The idea was that ventilation would prevent moisture buildup, water intrusion, mold, and pests. However, this approach proved a major design flaw over time, as the openings allowed the elements they were meant to keep out. If your home or a loved one’s home was built during this period, there may be moisture issues in the crawl space.

Signs like unpleasant odors, increased insects, cold floors, or respiratory problems could indicate issues originating from the crawl space. Around 50% of the air in your home comes from this space, meaning any mold, pests, or moisture present there will affect the entire house.

These conditions can worsen health problems for those with preexisting conditions or cause new issues as mold spores, odors, and toxins fill the air. If you suspect mold in your crawl space, avoid inspecting it yourself. Professional mold remediation, such as mold soda blasting, is essential to protect your or your loved ones’ health.

Falling hazards are a major issue for older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of four older adults falls annually. Unfortunately, having one fall doubles the chances of having another one. Concrete lifting can be an extremely helpful tool in this effort to make the home more accessible.  

Large cracks in your driveway, patio, or sidewalk with protruding concrete slabs present easy-tripping hazards. What’s worse is uneven concrete on pool decks, where someone could trip and fall in. PolyRenewal™ concrete lifting is a lightweight solution injected into concrete slabs to even them out and eliminate slab protrusion. Concrete experts drill penny-sized holes into the concrete and inject the polyurethane solution, which takes about 15 minutes to cure before your concrete is walkable again. Concrete lifting is a quick and cost-effective safety measure with a big impact. 

Doors and windows that don’t seem to open or shut easily, getting caught on the top or bottom of the frame, can be a major inconvenience. For some, it could present an unnecessary challenge in everyday life, forcing homeowners to keep doors or windows slightly ajar to avoid the struggle of opening and shutting.

A reasonable instinct may be to replace the window or door frame altogether. For some, this may be the right answer. But if this doesn’t work, the issue could be the deteriorating structure of the home. Differential settlement is typically the cause of uneven and sloping floors—and sticking windows and door frames tend to be a byproduct of this. You’re more likely to notice doors and windows not shutting properly before you can feel a slope in your floors. To fix this problem, experts might recommend a pier system, which can lift your home and provide permanent support from deep in the earth beneath your home. 

Encapsulating your crawl space can make life easier for you, not just by preventing mold and health issues, but by improving your home’s energy efficiency. Crawl space encapsulation involves insulating your crawl space to regulate its temperature, installing a vapor barrier and dehumidifier to regulate moisture levels, sealing off your crawl space vents and doors, and even installing a water drainage system. These things all work together to maintain a dry, cool space below your feet.  

While this works in the background, problem signs like high energy bills, cold floors, and even uncomfortable temperatures may start to disappear. You no longer have to crank your thermostat—or dish out major dollars on an energy bill.  

Basements may not be easily accessible for certain older adults. When your basement has cracking, bowing walls, leaks, and even mold, these issues fester below and make it inhabitable. Heavy rainstorms can also exaggerate these issues, and older homeowners may risk having valuables in the basement destroyed.  

That’s where basement waterproofing can come in. With vapor barriers, interior drainage systems, sump pumps, and more, basement waterproofing can do the maintenance work for you. With these systems working around the clock to maintain a strong structure and reasonable moisture levels, you or your loved one won’t have to worry about trekking downstairs to deal with the next flood or leak.

At Groundworks, we’re not just a foundation company; we prioritize your comfort and aim to empower you to make the best decision for your home. Before an inspection, you’ll hear from us via phone or email with details on the team member who will be visiting your home. Our professionals treat your home as their own, maintaining a clean workspace during inspections or installations. Don’t just take our word for it—hear from other Groundworks customers who are delighted with our service.

We believe in doing the job right the first time so you can enjoy your home in peace. To make this process easier, we offer flexible financing plans that allow you to address your home’s needs without financial strain. Our financing process is simple: after your inspection, our team will present you with a range of options tailored to your budget, including low monthly payments or interest-free plans. Combined with our long-term warranties, these options ensure that your investment continues to provide value for years to come. Start your journey to a safer home with Groundworks today.