3 Signs Your Foundation Needs to be Repaired

October 27, 2017

The foundation of any building is its bedrock. It’s what keeps the home properly supported. Without it, the house could come tumbling down around you. As with many things, cement foundations don’t last forever.

Changes in your home’s structure happen due to several reasons. For example, homes naturally settle into the ground over time. Houses will unfortunately always be at risk of sinking – and not in an even manner.

Water is another factor. Water can be incredibly destructive and erode the concrete your home is built on. There are other possible causes, so be sure to keep up with proper maintenance.

Foundation repair is not something you want to put off. The longer you do, the worse it becomes. It could even lead to severe structural damage! This can be significantly more difficult, and expensive, to fix. It will severely reduce the property value of your home.

Here are signs that it’s time to start repairing your foundation:

1. Uneven Floors

One common problem is that your foundation can sink. When this happens, it’s very unlikely that it will happen uniformly. You will be able to tell when you start finding slopes where previously there had been none, and when the floor disconnects from the wall. There will be invisible lines indicating where sections of the wall had been underground.

2. Cracks in the Walls and Poor Fitting

Search for cracks in the wall. These will be prevalent especially near the ground and corners. They might end up covered by paint or wallpaper, so be careful and be sure to check every so often.

In addition, you can check around windows, doors, and tiles. These are weak spots where shifts in the foundation will have the most effect. Likewise, if you find that your windows and doors are jamming or failing to remain in position, this means that the foundation has shifted and they are no longer locked in place.

3. Other Irregularities

By stepping outside your home, you have a clear view of more symptoms such as lopsided walls or chimneys. Sometimes it might be hard to tell if the damage is subtle or in its early stages– look for gaps between the walls and the rest of your home structure. Also, look out for our stained walls and especially the ceiling. If blotches appear, it means there is likely dipping happening – which could be a result of shifting walls and roofs.