10 Foundation Signs

One of our foundation specialists met with a duck about the foundation problems he was having. Turns out he had a lot of  Quacks! 

 

In this article, the 10 signs will be shown that indicate you may need foundation  repair. It is a hope that by the end of this article, you will have enough information to decide your next step… and with that let's go over the signs.

 

• Wall cracks

• Ceiling Cracks

• Slab Cracks

• Sloping Floors

• Door and or window sticking

• Cracked or leaning chimney

• Kitchen cabinet separation

• Sinking floor

• Excess water in crawlspace and basement

• Gaps in your baseboard

Although there are more signs these are the most common we have seen.

 

Wall Cracks

Wall Cracks are among the most common signs of a possible foundation problem however it is not only due to a foundation issue. Temperature changes, foundation shift, minor settling, and water leaks can result in wall cracks.

 

Ceiling Cracks

Ceiling cracks have similar indications of both structural and non structural issues. Moisture, temperature, poorly taped joints, etc. But cracks in the ceiling accompanied with wall cracks can indicate potential structural issues. 

 

Slab Cracks

Cracks in a concrete slab may not show signs at first since most are covered with carpet, vinyl, or wood floors. Small hairline slab cracks are common and not too much of a concern. Cracks that measure 1/8th of an inch should be checked sooner rather than later. 

 

Sloping Floors

Uneven floors need to be evaluated by the type of foundation you have. The three major types of foundation are:

• Conventional slabs
• Post tension slabs
• Crawlspace or basement

Sloping floors with a crawlspace mean the pile underneath has possibly shifted or lost support. Conventional slab can be due to soil interaction. Heaving or settling are most likely the culprits.

 

Doors or Windows that Stick

Do you ever have difficulty opening or closing your window or door? Or does your door look like it's misaligned or out of square? These are strong indications of foundation problems. 

 

Cracked or Leaning Chimneys

If you have a chimney, there is the possibility of separation from the house due to soil interaction or house settlement. A chimney separating from the home will look like this…

Although having a leaning chimney doesn’t mean it needs emergency repair, it's something that should be inspected sooner than later.  

 

Kitchen Cabinet Separation

One mistake many people make is remodeling before securing their homes foundation. When they do this, they can see their cabinets separating from both the wall and the ceiling. It's important to secure your foundation before moving forward with any remodeling work. 

 

Excess Water in Crawlspace or Basement

Damp crawlspace and basement conditions can cause your wooden floors to sag. If moisture accumulates, you are left with possible soil heave. Installing rain gutters for a slab foundation and encapsulation for basement and crawlspace will reduce the potential for further foundation issues. 

 

Baseboard gaps 

Gaps are tied to sloping floors as mentioned earlier. They can also happen from uneven cracks as seen here…

In many cases polyfoam solution is best to close the baseboard gaps. Poly is cost effective, long lasting, and environmentally friendly. 

 

Take a moment to think, did any of these signs look familiar? Have you seen these in your own home? Call us to schedule a FREE initial inspection. We look forward to helping you find your lasting solution to your foundation problem.