What are Signs of Foundation Issues

What are Signs of Foundation Issues?

Home repairs can be expensive. Homeowners are particularly fearful about foundation issues in their homes, which is understandable. On average, fixing foundation issues typically costs between $3,500 and $15,000, but this cost could increase further if other parts of your house become damaged. Preventative maintenance for your foundation includes understanding how to test it.

As part of an assessment for foundation damage, it’s crucial to identify cracks in walls, ceilings, and floors. Just because a foundation crack cannot be seen does not mean one doesn’t exist or exist somewhere within your home’s foundation. Are you paranoid? Take a deep breath – check your home’s foundation for these 10 warning signs instead.

Soil conditions, vegetation growth, and your geographical location can all contribute to the deterioration of your foundation. Early detection is essential to achieve cost-effective and long-lasting foundation repairs.

Here are 10 common signs of foundation damage to keep an eye out for.

  1. Cracked foundation, walls, or floor surfaces

Cracked floor or wall surfaces and gaps in brick exteriors could indicate foundation problems. Cracks indicate movement within your foundation, possibly due to multiple causes, including repeated soil expansion/contraction cycles and extreme weather events.

Your first step for foundation inspection should be identifying the type of cracks in your walls and foundation.

  • Vertical cracks are often a result of foundation settlement and are considered less of an issue than other forms.
  • Horizontal cracks should be taken as an alarm bell, indicating the foundation is being put under strain.
  • 45-degree cracks. Foundation movement that results in serious foundation shifts can create 45-degree cracks that appear along walls. Over time, this can result in sheetrock damage which may cause small tears to grow into larger teardrops if allowed to continue.
  • Stair-step cracks. Brick exteriors with visible cracks could be an indicator that your home was not built according to code.

Cracked foundations often indicate serious foundational problems and should be evaluated immediately.

  1. Walls are pulling apart and bowing inward.

Foundation issues could be present if the walls of your home appear to bow outwards. If your kitchen cabinets or work surfaces are beginning to separate from walls within your home, this could indicate that foundation movement has caused the walls to shift with it.

Hire a professional Florida foundation repair contractor if you have concerns about your concrete foundation or are buying property. Doing this could ease your mind or identify potential issues before they worsen.

Looking for a reliable foundation repair contractor? Get in touch with us!

  1. Existence of gaps between exterior windows and walls

An unstable foundation can displace walls from doors and windows.

Over time, foundation failure can become quite damaging. Gaps created by foundation pullout can allow moisture or insects to enter your home and weaken its structural integrity further.

If you notice foundation cracking occurring, seek foundation professionals’ inspection as soon as possible. A foundation stabilizer could help.

  1. Weeds Near Foundation

Nobody likes weeds, and homeowners may become even more annoyed if they appear near the foundation of their homes. Scattered appearance may simply be random, but clustered together near the foundation could indicate excess moisture, leading to foundation issues. When growing from the foundation, however, weeds are an indicator of possible cracks that need attention immediately.

  1. Window Sticking and Moving Away

Foundation problems may cause windows to be stuck when opened or closed, not latch properly due to increased pressure from stressed walls, or separate from their brickwork frames altogether.

  1. Are You Concerned about Sinking or Settling Foundations?

Foundation settlement refers to the natural movement of your property after construction has taken place, typically caused by gravitational pull and soil movement. Unfortunately, many property owners remain unaware of this.

Industry standards consider the differential settlement of one inch every 20 feet to be harmless and should not cause alarm. If your property sunk below this standard, it should be checked immediately in order to prevent serious foundation problems.

Be mindful of any small or larger cracks and gaps near the foundation if you suspect your home is sinking, and have it assessed if vertical hairline cracks appear near its edge. Delays could worsen your problem over time.

  1. Sagging walls or ceilings

Foundation damage can cause warped floors and ceilings. Shifting foundations may compact walls and support foundation beams, causing weight distribution irregularly across different areas – leading to sagging ceilings or floors. Slonted or uneven floors may indicate foundation issues – use a level to check how steeply your home slopes; contact a Florida foundation repair specialist if your foundation begins shifting significantly.

  1. Musty Smells in the Basement

Any musty smell detected in crawlspaces and basement walls is indicative of serious foundation problems, typically mildew-related. Wall leakage could also be contributing, while moisture seeping through foundation cracks may be to blame.

Blockages in drainage systems can be the source of foundation issues, so ensure they’re protecting your house properly. Redirect any excess water flow if it appears that there’s flooding in your basement, even though your gutters appear clear.

  1. Leaning Chimney

A chimney should not lean toward one side like the Leaning Tower of Pisa; such a structure could indicate shifting or unstable soil beneath it if it pulls away and cracks from your house.

  1. Damp Crawlspace of Pier and Beam House

Lack of moisture in the crawlspace is often an indicator of foundational issues or impending foundational failure. Water damage may erode and weaken your foundation, potentially exposing it to termite infestation and mold growth, which in turn threaten its integrity and undermine the value of your property.

If your crawl space is regularly damp, identify its source and seek crawl space repair services as quickly as possible. It could be drainage related if you live in an area prone to flooding and rain; for those residing in dry regions, it could be due to plumbing leaks.

What to do if there are signs of foundation issues?

These signs could tell of foundation issues present or impending in your home and need to be taken seriously; otherwise, they could compromise the integrity of both it and the security of its occupants. It would be prudent to get assistance from foundation repair experts for an in-depth inspection if any of these warning signs appear within your residence.

Affordable Foundation Repair provides your property with protection from structural failure by offering quality foundation repair solutions. Reducing structural failure to safeguard the most precious assets. You should address structural issues like major or minor cracks or uneven flooring.

Affordable Foundation Repair is the leading foundation repair company in Central Florida. Our affordable solutions can help with all of your structural needs. Our team consists of structural engineers and foundation specialists, all ready to provide permanent solutions for drainage and deep foundation issues.

Affordable Foundation Repair’s concrete foundation contractors offer a free evaluation of your home if it appears compromised.