Home repairs are a vital part of home ownership. However, there are few places where repairs are more critical than the foundation. If your home's foundation is damaged, then repairs are essential. Learn about some of the problems that can occur when you ignore foundation problems.

1. Structural Damage

The foundation earns its name for good reason; it is the support base of the entire building. When the integrity of the foundation is weakened, the overall integrity of the structure is also weakened. Doors will no longer close easily, windows may not open, and cracks may appear in walls in a home. In a brick home, the mortar may start to separate from the building's framing.

Damage isn't just unsightly but is also dangerous when ignored. For example, for a home with a chimney, foundation damage could cause the chimney to fall to the ground without warning.

2. Pest Infestations

Aside from eating, insects have one other important goal: to nest. A location out in the open where predators can easily attack is not the ideal situation. However, the dark and moist environment created by the crack in your foundation is.

When insects start to create nests in your foundation, their offspring will not merely stay in the foundation; they will eventually make their way into the living spaces of your home. Even with professional extermination, your efforts won't likely be successful until you have the damage repaired.

Some insects carry harmful bacteria, so providing a way for these insects to get inside your home is never a good idea.

3. Mold and Mildew Growth

When there is a crack in the foundation, moisture from the soil is given the chance to settle inside the foundation. The humidity from the moisture can travel beyond the foundation and lead to mold and mildew growth throughout your home.

Exposure to mold can cause common allergic reactions like a runny nose, watery eyes, and a rash, but exposure can also create more severe symptoms, including shortness of breath.

One factor that makes mold so dangerous is that it's not always visible. For example, it may form on the underside of a floor.

4. Lower Home Value

Homebuyers are not looking to purchase a headache. The typical buyer wants a property that is move-in ready, comfortable, and safe. A home with serious foundation issues is none of those things. If you're planning to sell your home and you have neglected repairs, the value of your home has decreased, and not just by a little.

On average, you can expect your home's value to be slashed by anywhere between 10 and 15 percent. If you don't think that's a lot, for a home valued at $325,000, that's a loss of upwards of $32,500.

5. Higher Repairs

Several home maintenance issues are on a gradual incline, which means they start off small and gradually become more severe with time. A crack may start off as a relatively minor fix, but with time, the crack will spread and deepen, leading to a more involved repair process. Not only is the repair more time-consuming, but it will also become far costlier.

If you have shied away from a repair because you don't have the patience to deal with it now, just know that a year from now, the idea of a repair will only be more stressful.

If you're anything like the average person, pest infestations, structural concerns, and other problems are the last thing you want to experience in your home. Take steps to avoid problems by making foundation repairs and maintenance a top priority.

If you have foundation damage, trust Bonilla Foundation Repair to work quickly to identify and repair the problem for you.