When rats or mice infest a residential or commercial structure for a significant period of time, serious damage to the building is almost inevitable. Gnawed electrical wires, soiled insulation, etc. The list of their misdeeds is virtually endless.
But can these rodents be responsible for the degradation of a concrete foundation?
Foundation subsidence caused by rodents
To find a new source of food, rodents are willing to do anything, even digging tunnels under a concrete foundation. Scouring the land beneath the building for a gap that would allow them to make their way inside, they can stir up large amounts of soil. By removing the soil that forms the stable base of the foundation, they create a void that threatens the stability of the concrete structure.
An unstable foundation can lead to problems such as doors and windows that are difficult to close and cracks in the floor, walls and foundation at certain strategic locations. In even more serious cases, it is even possible that the floor is no longer level, because the ground on which the building rests is no longer able to support the weight of the structure.
A solution to prevent rodents from digging under the foundation
In some parts of the world, foundation subsidence caused by rodents is so common that strategies have been developed to reduce the chances of becoming a victim, such as installing a “rat-proof” concrete slab. It consists of a thin layer of non-structural concrete poured on the earthen floor of a basement or crawl space. As the name suggests, it is mainly intended to prevent the intrusion of pests into the area under a building.
Rodents-ridden foundations?
Most animal species belonging to the rodent family have frontal incisors that are constantly growing. For this reason, rodents need to constantly gnaw and chew so that their teeth don’t get too long. Without it, their teeth would grow to the point where they could no longer eat, obviously leading to their death.
So to the question “Can rodents chew on concrete foundations?” the answer is yes, but only if the concrete is not properly treated. In fact, if the concrete foundations are in good condition and the surface is not weak or rough, rats or mice are unlikely to do damage.
However, if the concrete has already started to crumble, rodents may well be cutting their teeth on it. They can even go so far as to make holes in the concrete if it has a sufficiently porous texture.
To repair rodent damage
In conclusion, it is safe to say that rodents can cause serious damage to concrete foundations in a variety of ways. That’s why it’s best to fend them off before they can start doing damage.
On the other hand, if they have already taken action, the damaged foundations will need to be repaired, either by straightening them following a subsidence, or by sealing cracks and holes.
To carry out these foundation repairs, Groupe Fissure Expert is the ideal company. With its great expertise, its team does not hesitate to offer a 10-year warranty on its crack repairs.
Need a Crack Repair Expert?
If you notice cracks on your foundation, it is important to act quickly. Fissure Expert offers professional foundation crack injection services throughout Quebec. Call a certified foundation crack contractor for a free estimate. We serve Longueuil, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières and many other cities.