Floor humps are something that may surprise you at first if you don’t think much about floors being uneven. Although uneven surfaces are to be expected, the presence of a hump may signify a more serious problem requiring attention. Erring on the side of caution is usually better than not in these circumstances.
A floor hump could be less severe and relatively inexpensive to fix, while others require more extensive work. Enlisting the help of a professional who does foundation work is helpful. At the very least, you’ll have an idea of how extensive any repairs might be.
Joist Problems Cause Humps in the Floor?
Joist problems can cause expensive problems involving humps on the floor, even in new houses. One of the reasons this problem is labor-intensive is that it involves subfloor removal. Unless the subfloor is removed, it is difficult to find the extent of the problem.
Sometimes, these problems result from a joist that’s gotten broken or cut. Duct or plumbing installations often lead to this issue if a joist has been drilled through. The affected joist will sag, with the other end pushing up and creating a hump.
Professionals correcting these types of problems will need to perform work for a structural load transfer. The sooner this issue is addressed, the fewer chances of additional structural damage. A stable foundation is less likely to fail than its less stable counterparts.
Can Moisture Cause Floor Humps?
Floor humps can have several causes, with moisture being one of the most common among basement and crawl space floors. With basement floors being below the ground, it is easier for moisture to accumulate at this level than higher up in the house. Your crawl space and basement will usually get the brunt of it during excessively rainy weather.
Wood floors are among the most vulnerable types for moisture damage because they swell so easily. Hardwoods, which are poorly suited to basement levels, are among the worst. The type of flooring not as likely to have humps from moisture is manufactured wood using a synthetic core.
What Impact Can Installation Issues Have on Humps?
Floors that use vinyl or laminate that have humps may have installation issues. Humps are particularly common when this flooring is used on basement floors and lacks the necessary expansion gaps. You’ll find your floor a little uneven to walk on in these circumstances.
Humps in concrete are possible due to bumps present before installation. Unless the installer levels the concrete out before floor installation, the issue with the humps will show up in the new flooring as well. You’ll want to bring this situation under control before going any further with new flooring.
Could Humps Be a Sign of Foundation Issues?
Barring issues that occurred during installation or due to plumbing or electrical work, the next suspect is likely to be foundation issues. Water and porous soil are some of the factors that put the most pressure on foundations. If your foundation has not yet failed, the humps might be a sign that action is required soon.
One of the steps that foundation professionals can take to provide more support is placing piers. Although piering won’t fix every foundation issue, it will keep many of them from becoming worse. A foundation specialist will come up with a plan that works for your home’s unique circumstances.
If you’re dealing with humps or similar issues with your floors, you don’t need to deal with this on your own. Contact Falcone Crawl Space today for help dealing with floor humps.
