Symptoms of Foundation Problems: Slab Cracks
As shown in this photo, the slab crack is very deep, and it goes all over the edge of the wall. These types of cracks happen when there is a very severe stem wall problem or another foundation problem such as heave or a settlement.
Symptoms of Foundation Problems: Cracks on the indoor side of the stem wall
When there is a very severe stem wall problem due to rust production, the decadence can be seen from the interior of the house as in this picture.
Symptoms of Foundation Problems: Ceiling Cracks
When there are ceiling cracks, it means that the structure of the house is not evenly supported by the foundation. The cause of the ceiling cracks can be due to a foundation problem such as a heave, a settlement, or even both.
Symptoms of Foundation Problems: Spalling Concrete on Stem Wall
Here is another great example of what can happen when concrete gets too expose to water. The reason is that when concrete gets exposed to water its PH changes, and the concrete becomes more acidic, causing the rebar of the stem wall to oxidize.
Symptoms of Foundation Problems: Effects of Rust Production
The concrete cracks on the corner of the stem wall represent the beginning of spalling concrete. When stem wall failure becomes visible, it is already too late because of the probability of having to replace the whole rebar along with the tie-down straps.
Symptoms of Foundation Problems: Exterior Wall-cracks
Wall-cracks on the exterior of the house are very common, especially on big houses that got constructed on very fluctuating soil.
Symptoms of Foundation Problems: Concrete Cracks on Stem Wall
Here are vertical concrete cracks on the stem wall, which means one or more of the tie-down straps got galvanized. Usually, where the galvanized tie-down straps are, that is where the most amount of rust is.