The ability of your house to withstand the test of time depends on the strength of its foundation. This is what supports your entire home, from your windows to your walls. A problem with your foundation spells out a serious problem for the rest of your home. Most homeowners can’t spot foundation issues until it’s too late — don’t be one of those people! The earlier you catch these signs, the quicker you can call in a trustworthy concrete repair service to save your home. This handy guide will help you identify the telltale signs of foundation damage in the nick of time.
Cracks: Noticeable cracks on the floor and walls of your home is the most obvious sign of trouble. These can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as inclement weather, poor water drainage, earthquakes, and soil movement. Vertical cracks aren’t often a cause for concern, but horizontal cracks with gaps that measure more than ¼” definitely require some immediate maintenance.
Wet basements: Excess moisture in your basement means that moisture and water is getting in through cracks or leaks in your home’s infrastructure. You can tell you’ve got a significant problem if you notice mold and a distinct musty smell coming from your basement.
Bug infestations: While bug infestations are already a serious issue in their own right, they’re also a sign of cracks in your home’s foundation. This is especially true if you find them congregating in your basement. As previously mentioned, cracks in the basement allow water to seep in, which attracts pests like mosquitoes, centipedes, and cockroaches.
Sinking floors: Does your home look a bit asymmetrical? That might not be just a quirky feature. Uneven, bulging, or warped floors are caused by a shift in the foundation due to either humidity, earthquakes, soil movement, or improper waterproofing. If this is the case, your home’s foundation will need to be lifted using foundation piers, depending on how serious your case is.
Doors that don’t close or open properly: If you’re having trouble opening or closing doors, one reason may be due to an uneven infrastructure. You can feel this in the way your door drags either from the top or the bottom. Doors that don’t stay shut may also be a sign of excess humidity caused by the moisture coming in through leaks or cracks.
Cabinets that come apart from the wall: A cabinet that looks as though it’s hanging on to the wall for dear life is both an issue of safety and structural damage. Before you write it off as foundation damage, make sure to check if it isn’t just a case of shoddy construction. Otherwise, this is most likely caused by uneven walls and an uneven structure.
Water pooling under your home: A proper drainage system will successfully divert water away from your house by way of a downspout or gutter. Without one working properly, water pools under the house and weakens the foundation, causing major issues in the long run.
Foundation damage is hard to catch if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Let this list of telltale signs guide you in figuring out whether or not you need to call in the professionals to help save your home and prolong its lifespan.
