Symptom of Foundation Problems - 1
Horizontal cracks are very common when there is stem wall failure. The reason is that when the concrete gets too much exposure to moisture, the concrete changes its PH making it more acidic and making the stem wall components oxidized, and eventually making the concrete crack.
Symptom of Foundation Problems - 2
Failing paint is another symptom of stem wall failure that might get confused by other reasons, but in reality, it occurs due to the stem wall failure and the corrosion growing from the inside out.
Symptom of Foundation Problems - 3
Vertical concrete cracks mean all they mean is that the corrosion problem started in the tie-down straps and then it spread to the rest of the stem wall.
Symptom of Foundation Problems - 4
Spalling concrete is the last and the worst of the stem wall failure symptoms and not only because it makes the stem wall look ugly but also because the stem wall will literally fall apart if the problem does not get fixed.