Common signs of foundation problems include sticking and squeaky doors and windows, separating door and window frames, cracks in walls, floors and fireplace, uneven flooring, and walls separating from ceilings or floors. Immediately contact a foundation repair professional if you spot any of these because a small sign might indicate a bigger problem.
Foundation settling, basement issues, bowing walls, falling porch and leaning fireplace are among the common foundation problems you might face. Knowing their telling signs will make you and your chosen contractor deal with them easier and help you keep the good shape of your house in the future.
Top Signs of Foundation Problems
Foundation problem #1: Foundation settling in some portions of the house.
Portions of your foundation sink because the soil beneath it shrinks when it loses moisture. Poor construction, the foundation is poured without properly compressing the soil, might also be the cause. Check out for these signs of foundation problems to know if your foundation is settling:
- Cracks in concrete or brick stairs, poured concrete wall, sheetrock and plaster.
- Sticking and squeaking windows and doors, sometimes with cracks in and around the frames.
- Uneven floor, sometimes with cracks.
- Detaching kitchen cabinets from the wall.
- Settling roofline.
Foundation problem #2: Unstable foundation of the basement
The basement is one of the areas of your house that shows the first signs of foundation problems. It can tell you if your foundation is sinking or elevating due to the changing moisture content of the soil through these signs:
- Dropping wall manifested by floor cracks that are parallel to the wall.
- Dropping corner manifested by floor cracks that are diagonal in the corner.
- Dropping columns manifested by cracks in and around the columns.
- Sinking or heaving foundation manifested by spider web like floor cracks.
- Horizontal cracks in the basement wall.
- Slight to severe bowing of basement block wall manifested by inward movement of the blocks.
Note: Do not let your basement wall bow so much that it can no longer be straightened. This indicates a severely damaged wall. Have a professional to correct the walls immediately to avoid further damage.
Foundation problem #3: Uneven porch
The edges of your foundation has settled sooner than others because it is the part that dries faster. Signs of foundation problems in this case are:
Separating porch from the house, but at the same time, sloping downwards and towards the house.
Gaps between the house and porch stoop.
Foundation problem #4: Leaning chimney
The soil under the chimney have expanded or shrunk depending on the soil’s moisture content. Signs include:
- V-shaped crack at the spot where chimney and wall meet
- Cracks around the hearth or mantel.
- Leaking water at the ceiling caused by loose flashing.
Each crack, squeak and hump in your home calls for professional attention. Do not prolong it as it will just get worse leading you to more expenses. Your property value, family safety and household budget would be at risk if you ignore any of the signs of foundation problems in your home.
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