Top 8 Warning Signs of Foundation Problems

Top 8 Warning Signs of Foundation Problems

It is very common for homes to develop foundation issues at some point in their life. Right after construction, all homes have some degree of natural settling. Eventually, water leaks, changes in soil, hydrostatic pressure, and many other factors contribute to foundation problems. Following is a list of the top 8 warning signs that a home or business has foundation problems. Contact Polyjacking.com if you see any of these warning signs.

Leaky Basement

If the basement floor is wet or the basement walls are leaking water, it is important to address the cracks. Sometimes these leaks are a sign of more serious problems to the foundation of the structure. Over time, the soil beneath the foundation may settle and cause the foundation itself to sink or shift. Too much change may lead to severe cracks, water damage, and foundation failure.

 

Uneven or Sloping Floors

If the floors in the basement or inside the building are uneven, it is a sure sign there are foundation problems. It is likely that some portion of the foundation floor has sunk deeper into the soil or that a foundation wall is leaning or bowing. These are both serious issues that require foundation repair.

 

Cracks in Floors

It is not uncommon for floors to develop small cracks shortly after construction due to natural settling. Cracks which continue to expand or leak water should be addressed as soon as possible. Some cracks can be filled before they develop too much water damage. If cracks are due to shifting of the soil underneath the foundation, the concrete slab may require additional lifting or leveling.

 

Cracks in Walls or Ceilings

Most buildings will develop small cracks in the walls after construction due to natural settling. If cracks continue to become larger or leak, they should be filled before further problems develop. If cracks are horizontal, stair-stepping, or widening quickly, it may be a sign that the foundation needs to be repaired or replaced.

 

Bowing or Bulging Walls

Some soils, especially clay soils, have a tendency to expand and contract depending upon moisture content. If foundation walls are leaning, bowing or bulging, that is a sure sign that there is too much hydrostatic pressure from the exterior soil. This is a certain sign that the foundation needs some sort of reinforcement before it fails.

 

Sticky Doors and Windows

When doors and windows don’t open or close properly, it is usually due to a shift in the frame and surrounding wall or floor. Usually, you will find that there are cracks in the caulking area around the frame that may get wider or spread. This is a certain sign that the foundation is settling or sinking unevenly and should be repaired before it gets worse.

 

Gaps in Doors, Windows and Garage Doors

Gaps around doors, windows, and garage doors also indicate foundation issues. They are caused when the foundation floor begins to sink or become uneven or when the walls themselves begin to lean or rotate. Besides the fact that you don’t want cold or hot air leaking through gaps, it is an indicator that the foundation should be checked and repaired.

 

Leaning Chimney

When your outside chimney is leaning, that is a certain sign of a foundation problem. Most likely the soil beneath the chimney is not supporting the chimney uniformly causing it to lean. This indicates that the foundation beneath the chimney needs additional support or repair.

 

 

What if you have warning signs?

If you have one or more of the above warning signs of foundation problems, it is important that you contact a foundation repair specialist immediately.  Many of these problems are caused by a settling or sinking foundation. Polyjacking.com is the area specialist in lifting and leveling concrete foundations. Contact us for a free consultation and estimate for repair of your problem foundation.