Your garage is more than just a shelter for your car or a place to house your tools. It forms part of your property and your home’s structure. If you do not have your garage built from scratch, you will not know whether the existing foundation lacks structure reinforcements.
For instance, footers make concrete foundations stronger by distributing the weight of the structure evenly. This provides better resistance against movement and settling.
If your garage has a concrete slab that requires footers but does not have them, the foundation may fail sooner than you think. However, even with footers, foundation issues can still arise. Here are five signs to look for if you suspect your garage foundation may be failing.
Cracks in the Floor or Walls
Cracks appearing along the walls on the floor are a fairly obvious sign of foundation failure. You may also notice hairline fractures or deep fissures in the concrete, which may indicate that the concrete foundation is under stress.
Concrete stress happens due to several reasons. These include moisture, freezing, thawing, and settling.
It is important to note that small cracks in concrete are very common and not always a cause for concern. But, if you notice horizontal, jagged cracks or fissures wider than an eighth of an inch, it could mean the foundation is shifting.
Sloping or Uneven Floors
Sometimes, a concrete slab is poured incorrectly, causing it to dry unevenly. Other times, the slab may be poured correctly, but portions of it may start to sink over time. This usually happens because of soil eroding beneath it.
If you notice that your garage floor is suddenly sloping or seems more uneven than before, it is a potential sign of foundation failure.
It can also present a real danger to your vehicles and other garage assets. If the slope becomes too extreme, your car may start to roll and crash into the garage door. If it bursts through the door, it will land in the street, where it can cause an accident.
Sloping or uneven floors are often linked to poor foundation support and soil settlement, so footers are always a good idea. They extend below the frost line, helping to prevent heaving while stabilizing the structure.
Water Pools and Poor Drainage
Water should not accumulate under or around your garage foundation. If you start seeing water pools on the garage floor, it may indicate foundational damage. It could also mean there is an issue with the drainage system.
Ongoing, excessive moisture can compromise the integrity of your garage foundation. When water gets into the soil, it expands and contracts, putting too much pressure on the concrete, resulting in heaving or cracking.
Any damp spots on the floor or water stains on the walls should be taken seriously. Contact a foundation repair expert to inspect your garage foundation and walls and suggest ways to fix the problem.
Increasing Gap Between the Garage and Your House
If your garage is attached to your house, a failing foundation can cause the structure to pull away from your house wall. As the foundation shifts or sinks, you will notice increasing gaps around the door frames, windows, and the place where the walls join the main structure.
This is a massive problem because not only will you experience drafts, but your home’s energy efficiency will drop, not to mention the security risk of having a huge gap between your garage and your house.
If you do not address this issue immediately, it can lead to major structural damage to your garage and house.
To prevent these types of problems, attached garages should always have proper footers installed in the foundation. They should also be regularly inspected for foundation cracks, gaps, or fissures.
Difficulty Opening or Closing Garage Door
If you suddenly find it difficult to open or close your garage door, it could also be a sign of a failing foundation. Even the slightest shift in the foundation can cause the door to become misaligned. This misalignment makes it harder to open or close the door, regardless of whether you have an automatic or manual garage door.
If the foundation shift is extreme, the resulting misalignment can also damage the door. When this happens, you will need to pay to get the foundation fixed and the door replaced.
Do not ignore a catching or sticking garage door. Play it safe by calling the experts to assess and fix the problem.
Preventing Foundation Failure in the First Place
The first prize in preventing garage foundation failure is building your garage from scratch. This way, the builders can compact the soil beneath the foundation properly. They can also create a drainage system that diverts water from the foundation. This prevents erosion and hydrostatic pressure.
Moreover, a new foundation will benefit from footings and rebar that are deep and wide enough to support the garage load. The concrete used for the foundation should also be of the highest quality.
When you build a new garage, the downspouts should be extended away from the foundation to prevent water pooling. You could also have the foundation covered with a waterproof sealant.
Regular inspections are crucial for new and existing garage foundations. You should inspect it for obvious signs of failure and have it professionally inspected every few years.
If the foundation has issues, they must be fixed immediately. A garage foundation repair company can fix cracks and stabilize the foundation to prevent further problems.
A Strong Foundation Stabilizes a Garage Structure
Your garage must be stable and strong if you want it to stay functional over the long term. Any signs of failure, including cracks, uneven floors, and pooling water, are serious and should be treated as such.
The faster you detect and repair foundational problems, the easier it is to prevent larger damage to the garage and your home.
A proper build will prevent many of the most common foundational issues. However, if your existing garage shows signs of foundation failure, a foundation repair expert can assist. This is the best way to protect your property in the long run.
