Do you know if your foundation is slowly failing?
There are warning signs that can help you spot foundation failure early so that you can prevent your house from sinking. Foundation issues are some of the most serious repairs that you should always prioritize to keep the overall costs down.
This is because foundation issues can end up causing more damage to the rest of your home. Even the slightest of foundation cracks can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs if left alone.
Interested in learning more about the early signs of foundation damage at home? Read on for a helpful guide on the signs to look out for.
Floor Cracks
Whether you have concrete, tiles, or vinyl, foundation issues can completely damage your home’s flooring. One of the earliest signs that pop up when you have foundation damage is cracks on your floor. If you have concrete floors, these cracks can be visible much earlier compared to traditional tiles.
This is because the cracks will appear underneath the tiles before they eventually break through and crack the tile itself. Foundation cracks tend to start small but span the entire length of your floor. This means that you should keep an eye out for long cracks that tend to run wall-to-wall.
These cracks won’t appear overnight, but you should always keep an eye out for them. The earlier you can spot the cracks, the quicker you can fix them.
Bowing Floors
Foundation issues tend to occur when the foundation collapses or sinks. While it’s common for a foundation to shift slightly as it settles, damage can cause it to shift unevenly. This can result in your home losing the structural support it once had.
When your foundation shifts and sinks, the first thing to get affected is the floor. This is why you should always check your floor for uneven bowing. Floors that have sunken or shifted can indicate that you have a damaged foundation that has lost its structural integrity.
A simple marble test is a great way to keep track of your floor at home. If you know that your home’s floor was perfectly level, place a marble on the floor to see if it rolls. If the marble rolls, it’s a clear sign that your floor has shifted and is now bowing.
Sticking Doors and Windows
Your foundation is responsible for adding stability to every aspect of your home. This includes providing your home with the support it needs for entryways. This is why you may notice a difference in your doors and windows when your foundation is damaged.
Even the slightest of shifts can have an impact on your doors and windows. This is because the shifting foundation will shift the doors out of place. The altered position will make it more difficult to close perfectly as it did before.
In most cases, this results in your doors and windows sticking closed as the walls have added pressure to the entire frame.
Separated Chimneys
When you build a home, everything is placed perfectly and sealed off. This means that there are no massive panel gaps around the home for water to get through. However, foundation damage can have a domino effect on your whole home, shifting everything out of place.
If you have a porch or chimney that’s drifting away from your home, this is a clear sign of foundational damage. This is because the structure that is used to support everything is not offering the same support as before. Because of this, external attachments such as chimneys and porches will slowly drift apart.
Diagonal Cracks
When your foundation shifts, it brings the entire home along with it. This can have a major effect on your home’s doorways and windows as it can add pressure to the frame. This pressure often results in diagonal cracks from the corner of the frame to the ceiling.
The added pressure initially makes doors and windows difficult to open and close. However, sustained pressure eventually causes cracks to appear. While these cracks can be caused by the general climate, foundation cracks are usually the leading cause in most homes.
Foundation crack repair services step in to prevent this from happening in the first place.
Stair-Step Cracks
When a foundation cracks or sinks, it tends to bring the house down with it. If your home is made with bricks, you can expect the walls of the home to sink brick by brick. This results in step-like cracks appearing on the walls around your home.
These kinds of cracks are known as stair-step cracks. When it comes to home maintenance, the most common cause for stair-step cracks is foundational issues. If you have these cracks at home, it’s a clear sign to call a professional for a proper inspection.
The Importance of Checking for Foundation Failure
When it comes to foundation failure, there are a few key signs that you should always keep an eye out for. These signs range from small cracks on the floor to shifting and rotating walls. If you’re ever unsure, it’s best to call a professional to come home and have a look.
At the end of the day, foundation issues are incredibly difficult and complex to repair. So, the earlier you can spot the issues, the easier the repairs will be.
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