How Long Before Water Will Damage My Foundation?
Water is a powerful force that wreaks havoc on your home in many ways—from an all-out flood and ruined belongings to structural instability.
In a previous article, we answered the question, “How Can Flooding Cause Foundation Damage?” We highlighted exactly what a flood can do to your home’s foundation and common signs to look for.
In this article, we’re going to address the timeline of the impact of foundation water damage. Anything involving your foundation can be a complex topic, but our goal is to simplify it for you. Let’s jump right in.
General Time Frame for Water Damage
The timeline for water-induced foundation damage varies based on several factors. While the process can be gradual, spanning months or years, severe cases may cause significant harm in just 72 hours.
The deterioration typically begins with minor concrete cracks that gradually expand, allowing increasing water infiltration. Alarmingly, even minimal moisture can initiate damage. For example, a small but persistent leak may lead to flooding, eroding foundation materials, and weakening structural integrity.
Key elements affecting the rate of foundation damage include:
- The type of soil on your property
- Weather patterns (including drought, heavy rain, snowmelt, and floods)
- The size of the foundation cracks
What Does Foundation Water Damage Look Like?
Every home is different, and foundation water damage can take many forms. However, these are the most common signs to keep an eye out for:
- Cracks exceeding ¼ inch in floors or walls
- Gaps between outer walls and foundation
- Bowing walls
- Sticking windows and doors
- Uneven or sloping floor surfaces
- Presence of moisture or damp areas
- Growth of mold or mildew
- Strong, musty odors
Recognizing early indicators of foundation water damage is crucial. Prompt detection allows for timely intervention, helping prevent the issue from escalating into a major hazard.
What To Know Next
In this post, we answered your question about how quickly water can damage your foundation. Foundation water damage is a critical issue that shouldn’t be underestimated. It poses a significant threat to your home’s structural stability, potentially rendering your living space unsafe.
Your local Groundworks company can inspect your home for signs of damage and repair them with lasting customized solutions.
There’s a lot more to know about foundation issues, so check our Ultimate Guide to Foundation Repair for more informative articles!
If you need foundation repair you can trust, get a quick, easy, and completely free inspection from Groundworks. Just click the button below to get started.
Holly Richards-Purpura
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After I consulted with another popular foundation repair company in town, I wanted to get another opinion. I then had Jan from Innovative…
After I consulted with another popular foundation repair company in town, I wanted to get another opinion. I then had Jan from Innovative Basement Authority came over. He looked around the house outside and inside for issues. He used a laser to measure my house for sedimentation. He observed to cracks and listened to my concerns. He took his time and spent an hour checking. When he was finished he gave me the best news! He cannot offer me a solution since he doesn't think my problem is the settling. He said just basically to fix the minor cosmetic issues that comes with the age of the house and observe. Thank you for your honesty and expertise. The world needs more people like you! I am so glad I don't need to tear up my house unnecessary!
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Had a patio with about six different slabs that were in varying degrees of sag, some of which were funneling rainwater directly into the…
Had a patio with about six different slabs that were in varying degrees of sag, some of which were funneling rainwater directly into the house. Joe Bevis came out, had a look, did some calculations, and was able to give me a REALLY good price for the extent of work that was necessary. Joe told me about the process, and I was impressed that they provided a five-year guarantee. Blake and Nate were the technicians who came out to do the work, and their expertise and professionalism were greatly appreciated. Got the slabs lifted, and they cleaned up the site to where it didn't't even look like anything had been done (except for the now-perfect slabs). Would happily recommend.
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Zack Sanders from FRS was very helpful. Helped me find the water leak and come up with the best plan to correct it. Thanks so much
Zack Sanders from FRS was very helpful. Helped me find the water leak and come up with the best plan to correct it. Thanks so much
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David Lucas has cared for us and our home well. We gave greatly appreciated his service inspecting our crawlspace and giving helpful…
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We have had an awesome experience with Ohio Basement Authority. Iran H, Chris M, and Zach were here on 8/26 to install a pump and drainage…
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