Happy Birthday Bob – Living with Alzheimers by Chris Suich

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Sunday and it’s Bob’s birthday. I have been preparing for a while. What can I do to make it special in his room and something he might recognise as a birthday? He doesn’t recognise me let alone anything else!

The caterpillar cake is a must, we often had one for our boys’ birthdays and for parties of any kind even when they were grown up. Maybe he might have a memory of those days. A ‘Happy Birthday’ balloon . He can read the words even if he doesn’t understand the meaning. I could tie it to his bed and it will look jolly. Obviously chocolate buttons – he associates them with my visits. I break them in half and they melt on his tongue. Lots of cards. Several have already come in the post. I will open them for him and read them to him, coaxing memories of each and every sender. A bottle of Prosecco. He loved it last birthday although I had to watch through a window last time. And,  the best news of all, our eldest son Joe can also come with me for the first time, at the same time. A whole two hours all together. What a bonus!

The morning started with our two friends delivering some gifts. A beautiful soft blanket and a 1970s football sticker book with all references of Arsenal clearly ear-marked with post it notes for me to read and show to him. How unbelievably thoughtful. How kind. Another present arrived on the doorstep a bottle of port. Two kind friends knew it was Bob’s favourite tipple and that I give him some in his beaker sometimes. Then another wonderfully thoughtful gift, a box of hot chocolate sachets. Bob’s favourite hot drink. Do they know how much their kindness buoys me up. I hope so.

Even Joe’s school friend and her little girl write and send a lovely card. Always supporting us and so kind and positive.

I am filled with a strange mixture of joyful anticipation tinged with anxiousness. I so want it to go well. I’m desperate to have a shared moment where he comes back to me. Even for a moment.

I really have thought of everything candles, knife for cake, napkins, cupcakes for the carers, bottle of fizz, presents, cards, chocs and the music playlist.

We have our lateral flow tests and wait 30 minutes. It’ll be ok, I have so many tests every week and a PCR and I’m very careful in my daily life.

Exactly 30 minutes after the negative test we are allowed in. Straight through the corridor to his room. Bob is sat in his chair next to his bed. Quiet, deep in his thoughts.

‘Hello, darling, Happy Birthday.’

‘ Happy Birthday, Dad! ‘

Vacant. This is going to be a bit of a struggle I thought, but I’ll get there by the end of the two hours. He’ll smile, or stare intently at my face or just hold my hands.

Joe will talk to him about Arsenal and he’ll repeat the names of players. I give him the blanket and tuck him in his chair with it. He clutches tightly at it. It’s lovely and soft. That’s a hit, I think.

‘ Hey Bob, look what I’ve got you, a birthday cake’ .
I light the candles and we sing happy birthday. He cannot focus on anything, perhaps he’s overwhelmed. I pick the cake up and put it in his eyeline and we sing again. This time he sees but can’t blow out his candles. We do it for him and clap and cheer.
‘ It’s your birthday Bob, you’re 69 today and it’s a good day because we’ve brought you cake and presents’
‘ Is it? ‘ he replies.
I remind him that I’m Chris and that I’m his wife. I tell him that Joe has come today too and he’s his son. ‘ Are you ?’ he asks.

I get his chocolate buttons and put a few in his mouth. He likes them. His mouth opens again signalling he wants more. I cut the cake. We have a piece each. I cut Bob’s bit into small squares. I tell him it’s birthday cake and it’s delicious. He takes it all on his tongue bit by bit and I put the drink in his beaker and tilt it so he can sip it.

‘ Bubbles’ he exclaims.

I’m so happy he’s remembered the bubbles. He enjoys a full beaker of Prosecco.

Then the cards. He cannot hold them or tear them open so I do that and read each one. The first is from Eddie, our youngest son.

‘ Look Bob, this is a nice card, it has a bear on it and it says Big Bear hugs. It’s from Eddie. He’s your boy and he’s in Australia. He loves you very much and sends you a big kiss’

Suddenly Bob shouted out,  ‘ Come now, come now’ . How amazing, he’s making sense and he wants to see Eddie. I said that we would ring him and he’d see him and talk to him. COVID-19 has made it impossible for our son to get home to see his Dad so this is all we can do.

The next card is from Bob’s brother and he’s sent him some photocopies of some pictures when he was young. How thoughtful. I show Bob and provide the narrative. I place all the cards on his windowsill. The bed is facing the windowsill so Bob will be able to see them from his bed or chair.

‘ Hip, hip, hooray,’ Bob says randomly. I wonder where that’s from and then realise he’s reading one of the cards. On the front it says ‘ Hip, Hip, Hurray, it’s your birthday’.

So I play the music. All picked as ‘our tracks’ or something that Bob loved. The Beach boys, David Bowie, ELO, and lots of Motown. I joke about me always bringing him good music and we have our own private disco. I dance about the room and we laugh and sing. Sometimes Bob calls out randomly. Or he makes sounds like he’s trying to sing. He tells me to ‘ Be careful’ . I tell him I will be. He starts to count, out of sequence, random numbers.

Music is the key that unlocks him. He tries to sit up and opens his mouth for a kiss. I kiss him and put my arms around him. I tell him I love him and he looks at me smiling and says, ‘She’s happy’.

I show him the pictures of us in his memory book.

Then he has us in stitches. ‘ There’s two of them’ he says pointing at the cushion that has a picture of me and Bob on. He’s saying there’s two Chris’s  – me and the one on the cushion. I tell him there’s only one of me! But we all have the giggles. Bob too because he’s joining in with us.

Joe holds his hand. It is a good visit. I think Bob has enjoyed it.

We tidy up and get ready to leave. I kiss him again lots of times and he suddenly says out of nowhere, ‘ You’re my wife. ‘

The tears flow. I can’t believe he’s said it. The carer comes back and my eyes are filled with happy tears.

‘Are you alright?’ she asks.

‘ Yes, I’m just a bit emotional. He’s just said I’m his wife and for that moment he knew me.’

Wonderful memory that will sustain me for a little while.

Happy Birthday, Bob. We had a good afternoon didn’t we?

Cardio Crushers: The Best Exercises For Heart Health

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Strengthening your heart is one of the best things you can do to live a long and healthy life. As you probably already know, your heart is a vital organ that supplies oxygen and essential nutrients to all parts of your body, which is why keeping it in tip top condition should be on everyone’s priority list. Leading a healthy lifestyle, keeping active and eating a nutritious diet all contribute to good cardiovascular health, and today we’ll be focusing on 6 of the best exercises that you can engage in to strengthen your heart. Read on to find out more! 

  1. Cycling 

 

Cardiovascular exercises don’t have to keep you constricted within the four walls of a gym or slaving it out on a treadmill. Cycling outdoors or in a park is one of the best examples of this! Cycling has been long known to be one of the best heart healthy exercises that aid in reducing the chances of high blood pressure and heart disease. Just a 30 minute hop on your bike 2-3 times a week is enough to elevate your heart rate and significantly strengthen your heart muscles. Furthermore, the average person can burn up to 300 calories in 30 minutes of cycling, resulting in weight loss that can also lighten the burden on your heart should you be a few kilos over your ideal weight. 

 

  1. Swimming

 

Swimming is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise and is also the perfect option for anyone who is suffering from joint problems which make running, cycling or walking difficult. The buoyancy water allows you to move your limbs and joints more easily through their normal range of motion and can assist in reducing the impact and stress placed on your legs, knees and arms. And of course, enrolling yourself in a water aerobics class or simply swimming laps a few times a week can offer you a full-body workout that will strengthen not only your body, but your heart. 

 

  1. Strength Training

 

Strength training has been steadily gaining popularity over the last few years and although it is often assumed to be the antithesis of cardiovascular exercises, you’ll be surprised at how beneficial it can be for your heart. Building up the other muscles in your body is a fantastic way to strengthen the heart and research has shown that those who engaged in an hour of weight training per week had a 40%-70% lower risk of heart attacks. If picking up weights isn’t your thing, fret not. One of the most effective forms of strength training is when you utilise your own body weight with exercises such as push-ups, squats and pull-ups. 

 

  1. Jumping Rope

 

Jumping rope isn’t just for kids on the playground…in fact, there is a reason that professional boxers all over the world include a jump rope in their exercise routine and training regimen. This simple yet effective exercise that can be done in the comfort and privacy of your own home is cheap, easy to do and will also give your heart a great workout. Jumping raises the heart rate up to 3 times faster than other exercises, thus providing cardiovascular benefits in a much shorter time compared to most other exercises. You learn something new everyday! 

 

  1. Interval Training

 

Interval training is a form of exercise that switches between short bursts of high intensity exercise with longer periods of recovery. This is a favourite amongst many gym goers as it is a great way of fitting in a full workout in a very short span of time. An example of interval training could be as simple as running for 1 minute, walking for 3 minutes and then repeating this pattern/cycle another 3-4 times. You don’t need any fancy equipment to engage in interval training, and the best part is it raises and lowers your heart rate  to burn calories and improve the overall function of your blood vessels.

 

  1. Walking

 

We get it, some people just don’t like sports or exercising, so if you’re one of those people, you’ll be pleased to know that the simple act of walking is a great way to boost your heart health. Most experts recommend getting in at least 10,000 steps per day which isn’t too difficult if you’re out and about most of the day. Walking can quickly raise your heart rate and is much easier on your joints than other types of exercise. The great thing is that you can do it anywhere and anytime, making it one of the most practical forms of cardiovascular exercise that anyone can think of!

 

____________

 

Whether you choose to hit the local swimming pool a couple of times a week, go walking with a loved one or simply engage in some heart pumping high intensity workouts, regular exercise is essential to maintaining a strong and healthy heart. As always, don’t forget to consult your doctor before embarking on any new exercise routines and cheers to good health!

 

Lizi’s Digestive Health Granola – Breakfast With A Super-Healthy Twist – by Award Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Frost has featured Lizi’s fabulous mueslis before and we love them, but as a doctor interested in healthy eating, I’m blown away by their newest creation – Lizi’s Digestive Health Granola.

Just to remind you, Lizi’s granolas and mueslis are specially created from high quality natural ingredients to have a low Glycaemic Load (GL), This means they release sugars into your blood slowly, avoiding unhealthy ‘spikes’. This matters because sudden, steep rises in blood sugar can trigger inflammation, leading to heart disease, cancer and type II diabetes. After a sugar spike our blood sugar falls sharply– making you feel hungry again. So eating whole foods with low GLs is very important to keep you healthy and slim.

But I digress – why am I so excited about Lizi’s Digestive Health Granola? Well, besides tasting far too good to be as healthy as it is, because it contains oats, coconut, cocoa butter, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, cashew, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts – it also contains probiotic bacteria – 1 billion cultures per serving.

I think we’re all aware nowadays of the importance of healthy bacteria in our gut. But as further research results appear, it’s becoming even more apparent that the types of bacteria and other microbes in our guts have a much greater influence on whether we are healthy, happy or slim than we ever realised.

How we eat can help make sure that our guts have the best bacteria colonies for our needs. Eating a good mixture of grains, nuts and seeds, such as we see in all Lizi’s granolas and mueslis is great in itself, but the added benefit of probiotic bacteria is pure genius. I notice another of the ingredients is chicory fibre – this is a prebiotic – a food which feeds our gut bacteria, so another clever ingredient.

This is why I’m really sold on this new and seriously tasty Granola. But I have to admit that I’m still hooked on Lizi’s Super Muesli series too, and my absolute favourite is Glow Muesli – with red apple, figs and golden raisins for a delicious flavor, whilst almonds, linseeds, toasted oats and quinoa provide the crunch. Containing Vitamin B2 and selenium, it’s designed to help fight tiredness and keep hair and nails healthy.

But Lizi’s have such a fabulous range of breakfast products, it’s worth browing their website, where you can order whichever ones appeal. They’re also available at Ocado and Amazon, and they’re vegan-friendly too.

So enjoy – breakfast was never so pleasurable and yet so good for you.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

A selection of this week’s highlights from Joffe Books and let’s meet Joffe’s Managing Editor Emma Grundy Haigh while we’re at it

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Before we peak behind the scenes, here we have Book of the Week featuring a favourite character: PRIVATE DETECTIVE AND ASTROLOGER, JO HUGHES.

SOMETIMES MURDER IS WRITTEN IN THE STARS. by Linda Mather   99p / 99c, on offer for a limited time

Jo has always dreamed of making it as a professional astrologer. But her practical Virgo soul also recognizes she has to pay the bills, too.When she hears about a part-time job with Macy and Wilson, a private investigation agency, she is more than a little bit curious. A great offer at 99p/99c

Moving on, delighted to see one of my best favourites the Sister Joan series:
          

A Vow of Adoration by Veronica Black  £1.99/$2.99

As we all know, it’s a fine like between adoration and infatuation…  Read on: Sister Joan discovers a body in a ruined chapel. The police seem reluctant to help, and when a young woman goes missing, she’s never seen them so uninterested. It looks like it’s all down to Joan. But can she help her fellow man and stay out of trouble? Ah ha, that’s the big question… Can our Sister Joan really stay out of trouble? Read and see.

Blood Will Tell by Jeanne Van Dams £1.99/£2.99

The latest in the Dorothy Martin Mystery series by bestselling author Jeanne M. Dams: an undergraduate prank or the tell-tale taint of murder? A flash of white coat, slipping through the exit.
A pool of blood at her feet.  Did Dorothy just witness the ultimate crime? Well, I’m not going to spill the beans. Read it and see.

Autumn Softly Fell by Dominic Luke, BOOK 1: BRANNANS FAMILY SAGA TRILOGY 99p/99c -and what a gorgeous cover. 

Abandoned by her father and left in the care of an uncle, eight-year-old Dorothea Ryan finds herself cast away in a strange house in the middle of the countryside. As time passes and hopes of ever going back start to fade, Dorothea becomes more enmeshed in her new life at Clifton Park and begins to wonder just where home really is . . .

Books 2 and 3 of the trlogy are also available: Nothing Undone Remained, and Dreams that Veil.

Here at Frost Magazine we love to have a look behind the scenes so we are delighted to be able to bring you this catch up with Emma Grundy Haigh, Managing Editor of Joffe Books.

  “On Wednesday, I spoke on a panel on indie publishing and diversity for the Fantasy Writers Diversity writing group. With moderator Alice Yu, we had a brilliant discussion that touched on not just the Joffe Books Prize for crime fiction writers of colour, but also the lack of diversity in publishing more broadly and how independent publishers can become more inclusive spaces. And then on Thursday, I led a workshop entitled Plot Holes and How to Avoid Them for Spread the Word (https://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/), a great organisation that aims to build writing talent from traditionally underrepresented communities. We discussed everything from plot holes the participants have spotted in films and books, to how to go over their own writing with a fine-tooth comb. We also workshopped the plot holes out of some of their own work! Both sessions were a real pleasure to be part of — I just love speaking to writers about their work and the art of writing. I can’t wait for the next event!”

Finally The Malvern Murders by Kerry Tombs out now in audio and  a real spine chiller it is too. 

Before Jack the Ripper terrorised London, Police Inspector Samuel Ravenscroft patrolled the streets of Whitechapel. Clever and hard-working, Ravenscroft nonetheless has the worst record in the force. He is banished to the spa town of Malvern, and while there, Ravenscroft accepts a dinner invitation from a new acquaintance, Jabez Pitzer. Before dinner, the maid finds Pitzer slumped over his desk — dead.

Ravenscroft immediately recognises the signs — Pitzer has been poisoned. But the local authorities are reluctant to believe there is a murderer in Malvern. Hungry to prove himself, Ravenscroft is determined to solve the case. But the bodies mount up. Someone is killing local luminaries. Listen, but keep the light on.

More information on all  Joffe Books here

SHOW REVIEW: ABBA MANIA at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London reviewed by Paul Vates

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“an electrifying and upbeat show – a genuine feel-good event”

There was an emotional introduction before the show – as the theatre owner came onstage to welcome the audience back into the building after a long, hard, scary eighteen months. The West End’s Shaftesbury Theatre opened with a show that cannot fail to please – provided you don’t mind tapping your feet, clapping along, singing the songs, standing up to dance and partying!

The reduced seating – due to social distancing – did not prevent it being a full house to greet the cast of ABBA MANIA (so proud of itself that the show’s title is in capital letters). These are the production’s first West End performances in nineteen years and after this there is a full UK tour in the autumn then it’s off touring to the USA, Russia and France.

ABBA MANIA is everything you would expect and want from a tribute concert – the hits, the sounds, the concert feel. And the quartet definitely sound like Abba, only showing their musical theatre roots in some of the solos. Rhiannon Porter is Agnetha, JoJo Desmond is Frida, Edward Handoll is Björn and Loucas Hajiantoni is Benny (also holding everything together as Musical Director) – a tight musical unit that encourages the audience to get up and dance. With masks on, no one knows if you can sing in tune or even know the words – so it’s a bonus being covered up! The backing band are excellent, too: Anders Rye on lead guitar, Dan Hall on bass guitar and Paul Gregory on drums.

Personally, I could have done without the panto-like splitting of the audience into two for a silly singing competition (unnecessary when the audience is simply gagging for more songs to sing-along to), nor the bizarre references about the band members being married to each other when some of the songs were written after both marriages broke down. Is this being nit-picky?

I couldn’t help but smile and enjoy the whole evening. Turning around, watching the audience laugh and dance, releasing so much tension.

ABBA MANIA is an electrifying and upbeat show – a genuine feel-good event. To get everyone in the mood for reaching out and returning to the theatre, there cannot be a better way to bring a smile to your face – catch it if you can. But take a friend. Take two! Take many – they’ll ‘thank you for the music’.

Paul Vates.

Photography Mark Senior

Producers Todd Littlewood (TAL Entertainment), Guy Chapman and Handshake

Ltd

Director &

Choreographer Tamsin Stewart

Musical Supervisor Duncan Walsh Atkins

Tickets Tickets are available priced from £14.50 – £50.80 plus booking fees at

shaftesburytheatre.com

Performances until Sunday 6th June 2021

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – 7.30pm

Fridays – 5.00pm and 8.00pm (except Friday 21st May which only has

a 7.30pm performance)

Saturdays – 3.00pm and 7.30pm

Sundays – 3.00pm (no performance on Sunday 30th May)

Location Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8DP

Website abbamania.com

Instagram @abbamaniaofficial

Facebook @abbamania

Internationally-acclaimed Lost in Translation Circus swing into 10th anniversary year with exciting London tour June – August 2021

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Credit: Samuel Mills

 Lost in Translation, one of the UK’s leading contemporary circus companies, will celebrate their 10th anniversary with what promises to be an exciting London tour this summer. As leaders in the field of story-led circus productions, Lost in Translation’s summer tour will feature fantastic full-length productions that will leave you in awe of the amazing acrobatic skills across the capital.

High-kicking off the tour will be Lost in Translation’s Above at Wandsworth Arts Fringe this June – a work-in-progress enchanting circus fable. Inspired by Italo Calvino’s novel The Baron in the Trees, Above tells the story of a rebellious spirit who leaps from the ground to take up life among the treetops. Designed to delight audiences of all ages, this comical and exciting production features high-flying aerial stunts, amazing acrobatics and hilarious knockabout slapstick juggling.

It will be presented alongside Cabaret Unlocked, curated by Katharine Arnold (Olympics Opening Ceremony 2012, aerialist and choreographer; La Soiree, Sydney Opera House, Roundhouse). This new show is an exclusive night of high thrills, high spills circus featuring death-defying aerial stunts, stunning acrobatics, jugglers, hand balancers and more. Acts will be announced soon.

Credit: Nino Giuffre

From July, audiences can check into the much-loved Hotel Paradiso at both Rose Theatre, Kingston and Underbelly Festival, Cavendish Square. A laugh-out-loud circus caper, Hotel Paradiso is a hilarious and boisterous family show for adults and children alike. Audiences will be treated to amazing aerial stunts, floor acrobatics and juggling alongside clowning and a stunning soundtrack by renowned composer Peter Reynolds.

Hotel Paradiso epitomises what Lost in Translation do best, showcasing the daring and virtuosic skills and tricks of this multi-national and multi-talented cast of performers.

For this summer only, Hotel Paradiso will also feature a special guest performance from award-winning circus and cabaret artist Abigail Collins (La Clique, West End).

Massimiliano Rossetti comments, We’re so excited to be back on stage with a bang for our 10th anniversary year! At Lost in Translation, we have a deep desire to connect people, communities and cultures through our character driven theatrical shows and our trademark warm humour. This past year has seen us separated from both our loved ones and what we love doing, so we can’t wait to bring a smile to new audiences across the capital…

For more information Website https://lostintranslationcircus.com/

Twitter @LITCircus Instagram @LITCircus Facebook /lostintranslationcircus Above

Above is co-produced by Norwich Theatre Royal, and supported by Flora Herberich and public funding from Arts Council England.

Wandsworth Arts Fringe WAF Big Top, King George’s Park – Upper Field Mapleton Road SW18 2GJ

 https://www.wandsworthfringe.com/whats-on-2021/the-baronin-the-trees

Hotel Paradiso is presented in association with Jacksons Lane, where Lost in Translation are an associate company.  http://www.underbellyfestival.com/whats-on/hotel-paradiso

My Writing Process Julie Shackman.

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I am a writer of feel-good romance and live to the North of Glasgow with my husband and two sons. I trained as a journalist and studied Communication & Media, but I always wanted to be an author. We  adopted a Romanian rescue puppy, who we named Cooper, just before Christmas and he is often my writing companion!

What you have written, past and present. 

A Secret Scottish Escape is my fifth published book. My first two novels, Rock My World and Hero or Zero, were published digitally by the London based publisher Not So Noble Books and my next novel after that, A Room at the Manor, was released by Allen & Unwin. Book number four, The McKerron Castle, was released in audio by Bolinda.

Years ago, I also had two children’s picture books published in Dublin, but I always wanted to write feel-good, escapist romance and that is the genre I love to read.

What you are promoting now. 

I am promoting my latest feel-good romance, A Secret Scottish Escape, which is being released by the wonderful HarperCollins imprint One More Chapter as an ebook on 21 May and in paperback on 19 August. I can’t wait to share the tale of Layla and Rafe!

A bit about your process of writing. 

I find it very difficult to write straight onto the PC, so I tend to write long-hand in one of my many notebooks (!) and then type it up. I usually go to my favourite tea shop to write, but since lockdown, that hasn’t been possible, so I have been learning to write on the sofa, in the kitchen and whilst staring out of the window in the office! I also have to have music playing. Listening to lyrics seems to work for me as well.

Do you plan or just write?

I used to be a real panster, but have got a little bit better since  my last couple of books. I haven’t been planning everything, but write more detailed notes now on character background, settings and where the story is headed.

What about word count?

I just tend to write the first draft, get it all down and then tweak polish and edit after that. if I can write about 1k-1,500 words a day, I’m pleased with that. The most I have ever written in a day was 4,500 words. I wouldn’t like to do that too often!

How do you do your structure?

I make lots of bullet points in my notebook, referring back to themes and characters. It can look rather chaotic, but it seems to turn out ok in the end!

What do you find hard about writing?

I procrastinate alot! I also have a habit of browsing through social media or reading the paper and then have to have a stiff word with myself.

What do you love about writing? 

I love creating worlds and characters that readers can hopefully lose themselves in. I think we all really need to be able to do that – especially now!

Advice for other writers. 

Don’t ever give up. Keep going, keep writing and keep reading. A published writer is an unpublished writer who never quit.

UK Amazon Link –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Scottish-Escape-heartwarming-women-ebook/dp/B08T5WWNDR/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

US –

https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Scottish-Escape-Julie-Shackman-ebook/dp/B08T5WWNDR/

 

Why does a Home Encounter Structural Damage?

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A homeowner tries to keep his home as tidy and neat as possible. Overtime, he experiences structural damage and doesn’t understand what causes some issues like uneven floor, cracks on wall, termite infestation, etc while he is keeping up with the maintenance. 

 

The first thing you should know is that a structural damage to your home isn’t your fault, unless you choose low quality material. More than 80 percent of damage is due to structural defects while almost 20 percent is caused by framing related issues.

 

As soon as you notice these damages, you try to find a Minneapolis foundation repair service provider. Before you ask for professional help you should know what’s the main cause behind structural home damage.

 

What Causes Structural Damage?

Here are two main reasons behind this big issue.

 

Soil movement

This movement is never in your hand and many times the damage is resulted from it. There are two types of movement one is due to settlement and other is heave from expansive soil. Although many homes experience damage due to hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes but mainly the soil movement is the major cause.

Expert construction agents build homes to deal with active soil movements over time. According to industry standards, builders need to adjust the design in a way that settlement won’t cause big issues.

When a home has a basement, it usually moves more than 12 inches due to swollen soil. As far as the entire house structure is concerned, the change is almost six inches. As the basement moves more than other structures, this uneven movement leads to serious structure damage. Professionals of foundation repair companies assess your home movement and then come up with a solution that minimizes damage effects.

 

Settlement Consolidation

Native fill soils is another reason for structural damage.Geotechnical engineers usually design how to create composite soil for fill material. If that compositte isn’t perfect then the weight of home usually compact the material and lead to settlement.

 

 Sometimes, builders don’t supervise the fill soil placement process, this ignorance costs homeowners big bucks later on.Hydrostatic pressure results in hydro-collapsible soil, and it’s another reason behind foundation wall damage.

A team of experts from a foundation repair company properly assess the foundation, they do geotechnical investigation and quantitative study so that they better understand fill material and types of soils. Once the gather this vital information, they suggest the best solution.

 

Water Issues

Many home structures experience instability due to water. You need waterproofing services for your basement and attic so that you won’t have to deal with major structural damage. When you have wooden beams, floor and structure then water in those areas cause structural problems.A home with leaked pipes experience major problems later on. Water can easily saturate soil and result in significant home problems.

 

Address Issue Quickly

No matter your home structure experiences damages due to water, soil movement or settlement, you should contact Minneapolis structural repair services asap. Experts do visual inspection and then start fixing the main issues. If you don’t call them quickly, damages in one area spread to another quickly requiring you to spend lots of money on structural repair of your home.
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