The last thing any homeowner wants to deal with is foundation problems. They’re often big, time-consuming, and of course costly, but if you ignore them, they can cost you far more money and headaches over time. You see, foundation problems just don’t go away. They get worse over time, and like a toothache, the longer you wait, the more it will cost, not to mention all the extra pain. Yep, foundation problems hurt too!
Fortunately, the earlier you spot issues with your foundation, the easier they are to fix, and with permanent results. To help you see the potential risks before they get out of hand, here are five early warning signs of foundation problems to watch out for.
Exterior cracks in stucco or siding, or interior cracks near door and window frames are one of the most common signs of a foundation issue. Not all cracks are a bad sign—small or thin vertical cracks are normally nothing to worry about, but you should have larger or wider cracks, including horizontal and diagonal cracks, looked at as soon as possible. Noticeable cracks in your concrete floor under the carpet or tile are sure signs of foundation problems that should be checked by a professional. When combined with leaning floors, it’s a definite foundation problem that needs immediate attention.
Does it sometimes feel as if you are walking in a funhouse? Are your floors leaning? Uneven floors or floors that feel bouncy like a trampoline almost always indicate a probable foundation problem. While bouncy floors are easy to recognize, uneven floors may be harder, unless you have a serious lean. To test your floors, place a marble at one end of a room and see if it rolls to the center or to the other side. If it does, your floors are out of level, a red flag that you may be experiencing foundation problems.
Are your doors and windows sticking? Is there a gap on one side? Can you even close the door anymore? Windows and doors stick for various reasons—the most common is humidity—but foundation issues may also be the culprit. An easy way to determine if your sticking doors and windows are due to the foundation settlement is to see if the door or window frame is level. If it’s not, you may be experiencing foundation settlement.
If the nails in the walls are loose or popping out, this could be an early warning sign of foundation problems. While a few nails popping aren’t usually a cause for concern, if this is happening frequently, it could be a sign of a larger issue. Localized popping can be caused by warped framing as the wood dries out over the years but can also be caused by foundation settlement, which can cause your walls to bow or lean.
All concrete will crack eventually, but if you are noticing cracks more often in your home’s foundation, it may be a sign of foundation settlement. Often caused by too much water or too little water, the lack of support by underlying soils will cause your foundation to settle and crack. Heavy rains or irrigation can cause the soil below your home to consolidate and cause the foundation to sink or settle into the soil supporting your foundation. Water is moisture, and too little moisture in the soil can cause shrinking of the soils and your foundation to settle. Unfortunately, with the ongoing drought conditions we are experiencing, foundation settlement is a major concern. This is a very common cause of the problems you may be experiencing today and may be a serious sign of a foundation problems. If it isn’t addressed, serious damage can occur.
If you’re worried about the stability of your foundation, get in touch with the foundation repair pros at Foundation Tech. We offer no-cost examinations of your foundation and, if we find anything wrong, will come up with a solution that works for you and your home. Don’t wait until your foundation issues get bigger. Fix them today for cost savings and peace of mind.