Foundation Issues with Older Homes

By Shawn Kyles

Approximately one-third of all U.S. houses were built over 55 years ago. These older homes encompass a wide variety of architectural styles ranging from contemporary to historic, including A-frames, American foursquare, colonials, bungalows, arts and crafts, Tudors, Cape Cod, Italianate, Queen Anne, Georgian, Victorian and Greek revival. Small or large, simple or complex, older houses are admired by fans nationwide for their beauty, character, design details and sturdiness.

An older home that has been properly built will usually have considerable longevity. This includes many of the home’s critical components such as its foundation. However, when an older home’s foundation has been incorrectly laid, it can result in problems that get worse over time and eventually compromise the building’s structural integrity. Many homes built prior to 1940 often have foundation problems due to the lack of building regulations and standards, as well as the use of improper equipment and low-quality materials.

Older homes can also experience foundation issues if the foundation was laid on clay soil, which expands during wet weather and contracts when it is dry. “Expansive soil” will lift the building when there is a lot of water in the ground, and cause a home to settle when there is moisture loss. The movement of a home due to poor soil conditions can create cracks in concrete slab foundations and walls, in addition to uneven floors, bowed walls, and windows and doors that aren’t properly aligned. An older house’s foundation can also become damaged from settlement if the soil underneath and around the house was not compacted prior to construction.

Poor drainage is another cause of foundation problems in older homes. There are many different factors that can cause drainage difficulties, including the architectural design of the building, grading, a lack of rain gutters, downspouts not draining water away from the house, and water leaks from plumbing, appliances and sprinklers. When water seeps into an older house, it can cause foundation cracks and other types of damage.

Once a foundation has weakened, it increases the risk of structural failure, particularly during an earthquake. If you live in an older home, regular inspection of your property by a qualified professional is critical. A foundation expert will be able to spot signs of foundation damage, determine the source of the problem, and recommend effective methods of addressing the issue. It’s the best way to ensure your older home continues to stand the test of time.

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Is Your Roof in Good Shape?

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by Shawn Kyles

Roofs are designed to protect a structure from the elements, especially water. They can be built using various types of materials such as slate, rubber slate, wood shake, asphalt and metal. Whatever materials are used, a roof will eventually wear out over time and need repair or replacing. Evidence of roof problems can include missing, loose, warped or buckled shingles and tiles, which leave the underlying roofing materials unprotected. Roof leaks are especially serious and should be immediately addressed to prevent dry rot and mold.

Certain factors can accelerate the deterioration process, including:

Design Issues

If a roof isn’t designed correctly, it can lead to serious issues such as sagging and splitting, as well as water and sediment accumulation. 

Improper Installation

The life expectancy of a roof will decrease when it hasn’t been properly installed. You will also encounter issues similar to those found in a faulty design, such as poor drainage.

Poor Maintenance

Even when a roof is properly designed, maintenance is still required to prevent debris from clogging drains. Minor repairs may also be needed on occasion. When necessary fixes are ignored, it can result in more severe problems.

Weathering

The condition of a roof will deteriorate over time under any circumstances, but certain weather conditions can facilitate the process such as rain, wind, snow and hail. The rate of deterioration is often determined by the type of roofing material used. As an example, natural roof materials will deteriorate faster than synthetic roofing. A roof can also decay due to exposure to pollutants and toxic chemicals.

Flashing Problems

Flashing seals and protects the joints and places where the roof intersects with pipes, chimneys, skylights, vent stacks and similar objects. There are many issues that can arise with flashing, including poor design, improper installation or fastening, poor adhesion and inadequate coating.

Roofs can be replaced at any time, even in wet weather. The process involves removing all of the existing roof shingles and paper. There may even be additional roof layers that need to be removed depending on the age of the house. Once this phase of the process is completed, any necessary repairs will be made. The next step is to lay down asphalt paper, after which the new shingles, followed by flashing and installing the ridge vent. The costs associated with replacing a roof will depend on the steepness of the roof, the size of the area that will need to be replaced and the roofing materials that will be used.

Having your roof regularly inspected by a professional contractor is an important part of the maintenance process. When roof problems are detected early, not only will the repairs usually be less costly, it can help prevent other types of damage to your home.

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