10 Signs Your Home Foundation Needs Repairs

The foundation of your home provides structural integrity to support the whole house. When foundation issues arise, you end up with severe consequences if they’re not actioned quickly. This affects everything from the floors to the walls and even the roof if you’re not careful. A foundation problem can arise from many factors, including shifting soil, poor construction, or even issues like a slab leak. 

A slab leak repair may be necessary if the pipes beneath the foundation become damaged but foundation problems can manifest in different ways. Understanding the signs that your foundation is in trouble early can help you to prevent any further issues or structural issues with the house.

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1. There are cracks in your walls and ceilings. A common side effect of a problem with your foundation is the appearance of cracks in the walls and ceilings. You might attribute this to the house settling down, and that’s why minor cracks in drywall are not uncommon. But larger or growing cracks is a sign that your foundation is shifting or even sinking. Vertical cracks in the wall, especially those that start up from the floor, can suggest that the foundation is settling but unevenly. Horizontal ones are actually more frightening to see and these are good indications that the foundation is experiencing significant stress. If they are appearing frequently or they’re widening, you need to have your foundation assessed by a professional.
2. The floors are sagging. If your floors feel bouncy, uneven, or they’re even sagging, it’s a good sign that your foundation is settling unevenly. Floors can appear to dip or slope in certain areas, which creates a noticeable incline. When the soil beneath the foundation shifts, or when the foundation itself is damaged or cracked, uneven floors can be dangerous. If you’re experiencing this, you should call a foundation repair expert to evaluate the problem.
3. You’re finding it hard to close doors or windows. Did you know that the foundation of your home settling can cause the doors and the window frames to stick? This level of misalignment leads to doors and windows becoming difficult to open or close. Not only is this problem with the security of your home, but it’s going to be difficult for you to remain energy efficient when there is air leaking in and out of the house. You might find that this misalignment is more noticeable in the doors that are typically used regularly, such as entry doors or interior doors between rooms. You might find that the issue is also only confined to one or two doors, which can help you to narrow down where the foundation issues are. If you notice that every door or window is sticking, then there could be a bigger foundation problem than you expected and this needs to be assessed as soon as possible.
4. There are open gaps around doors and windows. In addition to finding it hard to open and close your doors and windows, you might notice gaps forming between the walls and the window and door frames. These can become more pronounced over time so if you notice any size gap, it has to be fixed. Your home will be so much more expensive to heat and cool if you don’t fix it, so it’s a good idea to have the home’s foundation inspected for potential issues. The foundation shifting or settling can happen but it shouldn’t happen to the point where the walls pull away from the door or window frames.
5. You can see visible cracks in the foundation of your home. These cracks can appear on the exterior of your home, not just the interior. Small cracks are never usually a major concern, because you do expect it when it has settled, but larger expanding cracks, especially those that are wider than an eighth of an inch could indicate serious issues in the foundation. When there are cracks in the foundation, there can be issues with water seeping in, especially after heavy rain. This leads to slab damage and it leads to further damage throughout the whole foundation of the home. When this happens, creeping mold and damp can cause issues in the walls on the interior of your house which becomes a much more expensive problem than you expect. It’s essential that you monitor this closely so that they don’t get worse.

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6. The walls are bowing and leaning. The walls are supposed to be solid, not bowing or leaning. If you are seeing your walls bowing, then it’s a clear sign that your foundation is experiencing significant issues. Bowed walls can occur when there is too much moisture in the soil around your foundation, and then that moisture causes it to swell and push against the walls. Bowed walls should never be ignored as that can lead to huge structural damage. Professional foundation repair specialists can ensure that your foundations are not bowing too far and if they are, they can help with repairs.
7. You’ve noticed a shift in your chimney. Chimneys are actually critical structures that are often attached to the foundation of the home. Even if it’s just for decorative purposes these days, you still don’t want it to be collapsing on you. If you notice that your chimney has shifted, developed cracks, or is starting to lean sideways, it could be a sign that the foundation has shifted. Since the chimney is typically very large and heavy, you don’t want it to be vulnerable to movement because if it’s not being provided with adequate support, you might find it falls.
8. Water is pooling near your foundation. Water pooling or standing around the foundation of your home is a clear warning sign that drainage issues are happening. Slab leak repairs will end up being a very costly repair if you don’t get on top of it quickly. When water accumulates around the foundation, there is pressure put onto the walls which causes them to crack or shift. Excess moisture can also erode the soil beneath the foundation and that leads to settling and movement. If you notice this water pooling around the foundation of your home, you have to assess the drainage issues as soon as you can and have the foundation inspected.
9. You can smell the mildew. The presence of mildew in your home, especially in the areas near the foundation, can show you that there is a lot of moisture entering the structure. Not only that, but this moisture is standing. When foundations develop cracks, they become vulnerable to leaks. Water seeping into the home creates an environment that is conducive to the growth of mildew and mold. You’ll notice it because there is a musty smell starting or you’ll see the signs of mold or mildew in your basement or crawl space. It can be a very clear sign that your foundation is compromised, and as it can cause serious health problems, you have to address it quickly to prevent it from getting worse.
10. Your support beams are leaning. If you do have a crawl space or basement in your house, there may be support pillars or beams that help to hold up the structure. If these are cracked leaning or showing any signs of stress, the foundation would be shifting too quickly or settling unevenly. These beams are essential for the stability of your home because the last thing that you want is for the whole lot to come down on you. Issues should be taken seriously and should never be delayed. Cracks or misalignment in support beams can lead to further foundation damage, so you need to contact the builder so that you can get it fixed as soon as possible.