What To Know About Foundation Issues In Florida Homes
Extreme weather, hurricanes, flooding, and other weather issues all impact Florida residents in the Daytona area and beyond. These weather events can also affect soil conditions and damage a home’s foundation over the long term. Left untreated, these issues can create serious problems for a home. Your home’s structural integrity depends on its foundation, and it is important to remain vigilant about any structural issues, and to document any potential causes when they do happen.
Common Causes of Foundational Problems in Homes
There are different potential reasons why a foundational issue can take hold and cause headaches for homeowners:
- Shrinkage of Soil Around the Foundation
Hot and dry weather can cause the soil surrounding a home’s foundation to dry out and shrink back, leading the foundation to lose stability and shift. Foundational shifts can often be noticed via cracks in walls, ceilings, or floors. They can also be noticeable through problems opening doors or windows. Even nearby trees can sap water from the soil around a foundation, leading to shifts that cause long term damage.
- Over-absorption of Moisture by Soil Around the Foundation
The opposite issue can also cause foundational problems. When the soil near and beneath a foundation absorbs too much water due to flooding, plumbing leaks, and heavy rainfall, the soil can swell and expand. This may cause the foundation to push upward and disturb the building’s overall integrity. While this problem may be caused over the long term, a sudden and severe flood event can also leave lasting foundational damage.
- Deterioration or Damage to Stem Walls
Stem walls connect the foundation to a home’s walls and floors, and damage to these parts of the structure can lead to overall foundational damage. Some of this damage occurs over time, but it could also be caused by a severe weather event or flood.
Signs of Foundational Damage to Look Out For:
- Cracks in floors or walls
- Doors or windows that “stick” when you try to open or shut them
- Mold, leaks, and other signs of water damage on lower floors
- Slanting or sagging floors
These may have other causes, but can also be telltale signs of foundational shifts and structural issues. If you notice these issues in close connection to a recent event that would be covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy, record the damage and notify your insurer as soon as possible.
Property insurance companies will often try to deflect or deny your potential claim when foundation damage is the issue. They may blame an owner’s neglect, long term structural issues, or other matters not covered under your policy. However, certain covered events such as severe weather and hurricanes can be to blame for foundation damage to Florida homes.
Our Florida Property Damage Attorneys at Bundza & Rodriguez, P.A., Will Help When an Insurer Seeks to Deny Your Homeowner’s Insurance Claim
The Daytona property damage insurance attorneys at Bundza & Rodriguez, P.A., know the games that insurance companies play when presented with certain claims that may be challenging to prove. If you believe your home has suffered foundational damage due to a covered event under your policy, call our Daytona law offices at 386-252-5170, or schedule a consultation with our Daytona Beach property damage attorneys online today.
