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Is Your Foundation Ready for August? What Central Ohio Homeowners Need to Know
- Melissa Neiderhiser
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Serving Dublin, Columbus, Marysville, Delaware ,Sunbury, New Albany & Surrounding Areas
This summer has brought soaking rains across Central Ohio, and if your home sits on clay-rich soil (which is true for most of our region), your foundation could be under more stress than you realize. With a hot, dry August on the horizon, your foundation will begin to feel the effects of shrinking, shifting soil—and homeowners may start to notice unsettling signs.
At ABLE Basement & Structural Solutions, we’ve been seeing a sharp increase in:
Wall cracks
Water intrusion
Settling floors
Sinking concrete
And crawl space concerns
If you're within 1.5 hours of Dublin, OH—including areas like Powell, Lewis Center, Marysville, Newark, Chillicothe, and Grove City—this blog is for you.
Top Foundation & Structural Issues We're Seeing Right Now
1. Cracked & Bowing Basement Walls
The saturated ground is pressing hard against your foundation walls. When pressure builds up, it can cause:
Horizontal or stair-step cracks
Inward bowing
Water seepage along the base of the wall
2. Sinking & Settling Foundations
After heavy rains, the soil underneath your foundation softens—and when it dries out, it contracts. This cycle leads to:
Uneven or sloped floors
Cracks above windows and doors
Doors and windows sticking or misaligning
3. Water Intrusion & Mold
With record rainfall, many homeowners are discovering:
Musty odors
Visible water stains
Mold growth in basements or crawl spaces
4. Crawlspace Moisture Issues
In places like Powell, Westerville, and Gallowy, high humidity and poor drainage create crawl spaces that are:
Damp and moldy
Full of insect or rodent activity
Sagging due to soft joists or beams
5. Cracking Concrete Walkways & Driveways
Look around your driveway or porch. If you’re seeing:
Cracks or gaps
Sunken slabs
Tripping hazards
That’s a result of soil movement beneath your concrete. It’s more than cosmetic—it's a safety issue.
What To Watch for This August
The transition from wet to dry weather can cause problems suddenly. Here’s what to monitor:
New or worsening wall cracks
Soil pulling away from the foundation
Spongy or uneven floors
Cracks over door frames
Water stains or white powder (efflorescence)
Increased basement or crawl space humidity
What You Should Do Right Now
1. Cracked & Bowing Basement Walls
Check for cracks, gaps in soil, and pooling water near the base.
2. Cracked & Bowing Basement Walls
Test all doors and windows. Are any new ones sticking? Look at your basement walls and crawl space floors.
3. Cracked & Bowing Basement Walls
Make sure gutters are clear and downspouts drain 6–10 feet away from the house.
4. Cracked & Bowing Basement Walls
Don’t wait until fall to get help. Foundation problems don’t fix themselves—and they almost always get worse (and more expensive).
Why Central Ohio Homes Are at Risk
ABLE Basement has served Central Ohio for over 27 years with A+ BBB-rated, licensed, bonded, and insured services. Our team understands the specific soil movement patterns in areas like:
Dublin
Marysville
Delaware
Hilliard
New Albany
Plain City
Circleville
Powell
We don’t just lift homes—we give homeowners peace of mind.
Ready for a Free, No-Pressure Inspection?
If you notice cracks, leaks, musty odors, or sinking concrete, now is the time to act. August heat will dry out soil and make conditions worse.
We offer FREE inspections
Fully licensed, bonded, and insured
Customized repair plans backed by decades of experience
Flexible financing options
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