Your home is your most valuable asset and it pays to protect and care for it. To prevent expensive or even irreparable damage, you should watch out for the signs of foundation and structural damage and have them repaired immediately. Concrete foundation slab and pier and beam foundations can both develop very serious issues.
If you notice any of the following signs of foundation and structural damage, your home may need foundation repair.
Cracks in Your Walls, Floor, or Foundation
The most obvious sign of foundation damage are cracks in the foundation, your floor, or your walls. These can be both exterior and interior walls.
It’s normal for a foundation to settle in the first two to three years and develop tiny cracks. However, cracks in the concrete block or brick exterior walls can indicate that your home has experienced an unacceptable level of settling. A ¼” crack in your exterior walls can warrant an inspection from a foundation repair service.
Unusual cracks on interior walls, floors, and ceilings are also of concern. If the foundation of your house has had an extreme amount of settling, cracks can appear almost anywhere in your home.
Foundation Upheaval
While foundation settling is common, foundations can also move upwards. Foundation upheaval can have many causes, including soil expansion and contraction. However, excess moisture in the soil due to heavy rain, floods, or underground plumbing leaks is often the cause. Clay soils are commonly affected by moisture.
Frost and freezing temperatures are another common cause of foundation upheaval. When the water in the soil freezes, its volume increases. This can push upwards, putting pressure on your foundation. Like settling, foundation upheaval can cause cracks in the foundation, walls, floor, and ceiling of your home.
Window and Door Frames Separating From Walls
If you notice that the door and window frames of your home appear to be separating from the walls, that's another sign of foundation damage. Likewise, you may notice that your kitchen countertop and cabinets seem to be pulling away from the walls. You could also notice that the doors in your house are sticking or that cabinet doors hang open.
Sagging Floors
If your floors are no longer level or, even worse, are bowing up or dipping down, you likely have foundation damage. The problem might be barely noticeable now, but it will likely get worse and should be fixed as soon as possible.
While many of these signs can indicate other problems as well, it’s a good idea to have a foundation repair professional inspect your home. Having your foundation fixed as soon as possible is vital for keeping your home safe for both you and your family. It can also help keep repair bills lower than they might otherwise be.
Foundation and structural damage are both serious issues. Know the signs of damage as well as what problems are most likely to affect your home. By watching out for these signs, you can protect your home and your family.
