Many New Orleans homes are at risk of damage from termites, rot, floods, hurricanes and other extreme weather events. This damage can affect the foundation of the home. It can also be expensive to repair, but the damage only gets worse if it is left untreated. Foundation problems may include the soil under the home.

An uneven surface under the home can put the entire structure at risk. If your New Orleans home has been damaged in this manner, take immediate steps to get the foundation repaired. Each case is unique and must be evaluated based on the specific traits of the property and the damage that has occurred.

What is Foundation Repair?

Foundation repair is the term used for the entire process of evaluating, assessing and repairing damage to the foundation of a property. This is necessary when the damage becomes so extensive that you may need to rebuild the entire foundation. In New Orleans, many homes sustain damage at the foundation, and this can depreciate the property as well as cause other problems to the rest of the structure as well as the interior of the home.

The assessment of the home should evaluate a variety of components that must be taken into consideration. Repair work can be done on the foundation piers, sills and/or joists, which can break or become weakened due to exposure to water. Other methods can be utilized to deal with surrounding structures as well as any effects on the soil beneath the home. Damaged foundations will often attract termites that use moist wood for nesting and feeding.

How Do We Repair a Foundation?

There are many techniques that can be used to repair the foundation of a New Orleans home. A professional inspection of the property is essential. Once the extent of the damage is fully understood, a plan for repairs can be crafted. At times a Engineer may need to be called in to help determine the correct support loads needed to repair a foundation. This might include leveling the property if the damage is severe enough; however, in other cases, the sills and joists might simply be replaced. This is usually the case in homes where minimal termite infestations occur. As well as repairing any damage to piers, or other similar supports.

In addition, concrete pilings can replace older wood pilings that have sustained damage. Home elevation and leveling can be done if needed. The porch areas can be leveled and even straightened, and raising the home is optional in some cases.

Any thorough foundation assessment should lead directly to a plan of action. However, the work can’t begin until the homeowner becomes aware of the extent of the problem. The warning signs that a foundation repair might be necessary are rarely obvious to the untrained eye. Therefore, a list of warning signs are included below to help homeowners in New Orleans determine if they require professional assistance.

Warning signs that the home's foundation may need repair include the following:

• Door frames might become separated at the frame, or doors and windows not closing or opening properly.
• Rotten beams and other support structures can contribute to the leaning of the home.
• Bowing in the walls or other supportive areas of the building indicate severe damage.
• Cracked tiles, and other cracks on the exterior of the building indicate the kind of structural damage that might require repairs at the foundation level.

Foundation Assessments

There are steps that need to be taken in order to conduct a foundation assessment. Experienced service professionals are fully trained to evaluate any New Orleans home to determine if the foundation damage is extensive enough to require repairs. Homeowners can benefit from obtaining a complete assessment of the property. Foundation problems will not resolve without intervention. Contact a qualified assessment professional to determine the best course of action.