Foundation Problems at Homes can Render HVAC Systems ineffective

Failing foundations affect the integrity of the building structure, and there are several reasons for

foundation failure, the most prominent being water problems. To keep your home completely functional and free from damages you must ensure that there are no problems with the foundation. The health of the foundation contributes to the health of the building because cracked walls and jammed doors and windows are typical signs of problems with the foundation. It is difficult to predict if there could be likely problems with the foundation unless there are some structural or design defects. Even with most well-constructed foundations, there might be problems from the cracks developed in concrete. If you face any foundation issues, you should immediately contact the experts of Foundation Repair Kansas City to resolve the problem at the soonest. That should help to retain the value of your home and ensure safe and comfortable living.

Foundation damages impact the building structure and affect the safety and functional aspects of the building.  Cracked walls and gaps in the doors and windows besides being quite unsightly also affect the functionality of homes that become less energy efficient.  Usually, people concentrate on equipment like the refrigerators, air conditioners, and heaters when discussing issues about making homes more energy efficient but in the process forget to consider the building itself. The building is a huge contributor in creating energy efficient homes, but if you have foundation issues that weaken the building structure and develops cracks in the building, then it affects the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system of your home.

The foundation impacts heating and cooling

Many people face heating and cooling problems at homes and confine their attention to the equipment only when looking for remedies but seldom think that the building foundation could be the real culprit. Not even in their wildest dream, they can imagine that foundation problems are preventing the HVAC system from functioning correctly. However, this is what happens when buildings are old and do not have insulated foundations.  The more are the issues with foundation bigger will be the problems of heating and cooling.

The foundation contributes to a strong structure, and even the slightest problem with the foundation affects the structure of the building as it becomes weak.  When talking about foundation problems, people usually think about the worst-case scenarios which are not always the case depending on the problem. However, it is not usual for minor cracks developed around the building due to the foundation problem which if allowed continuing will affect the home insulation and adversely affect the functioning of the HVAC system. Air leaks through the cracks overload the HVAC equipment that starts operating at lower efficiency.

The link between foundation problems and HVAC

Air leakage through cracks on the walls is just one of the issues that can happen with a failing foundation that affects heating and cooling. There are some other instances too that hinder the proper function of the heating and cooling equipment. Sometimes you might observe that the floor of the building becomes sloped and it is a definite sign that the foundation at that portion of the building has moved away a bit due to soil erosion. The soil at that part of the foundation had become wet and moved away thereby shifting the foundation from its original position. The slope created on the floor develops gaps with the door jambs and makes way for air transfer through the gaps that reduce the air conditioning effect. The high utility bills would make the effects more evident.

If there are extreme issues with the foundation, it can cause an imbalance in the HVAC system and disturb the temperature settings. Disruption in the system prevents the maintenance of proper temperature that can make the indoor very uncomfortable by creating a stuffy environment.  In some cases of severe foundation problems, the ducts of the HVAC system would become misaligned and eventually break away from each other thereby collapsing the system altogether.

Poor HVAC functioning can be due to foundation problems

When your HVAC system functions poorly, and no apparent fault appears to affect the equipment, check for foundation damages which can often go unnoticed. Look for the visible signs of foundation damage across the building and try to detect extensive cracks on walls, doors not closing correctly and cracks on the floor. Conducting a professional foundation inspection should help to get a report about the health of the foundation. Act fast to detect the problems before the cost of repairing spirals beyond your reach.  The sooner you act lesser will be the cost.

Foundation insulation

Home insulation is vital for maintaining a comfortable temperature inside homes with the proper functioning of the HVAC system. The home insulation receives a boost when the foundation insulation is good.  Therefore, you must ensure adequate insulation of the foundation so that the rooms below the ground level like the basement is a very comfortable space with the HVAC system operating at optimal efficiency. Good conditioning of the basement will save money towards heating and cooling the space.

Using the right type of insulation for the foundation is equally important because poor quality insulation will defeat your purpose of saving money on energy bills. Use of concrete blocks and insulating concrete is the standard norm for insulating foundations.  For older homes, it might need retrofitting additional insulation across the house including the foundation to get the best results.  Adding rigid foam board to the exterior of the underground foundation helps to enhance the insulation. It is also a good solution when constructing a new basement.

Check for cracks and gaps around the home and seal it with proper sealant to prevent air exchange through the gaps. The leakage can have a tremendously adverse effect on the heating and cooling capabilities of the HVAC system. In addition, address the root cause of the cracks and gaps by repairing the foundation which caused the problems. Unless you can set the foundation right no amount of effort and money spent in repairing the building structure will be of any use.