Seven Warning Signs of Foundation Repair Needed

Foundation Damage

A foundation failure can exhibit itself in a number of ways!  Some types of foundation damage are easy to see, such as cracks in the interior or exterior walls. Others however, are not so obvious (loosened plumbing under the house which in turn causes slow leaks.

01

Cracks in Brick

Cracks in Drywall

Drywall craks are one of the most common signs that you have foundation problems. Craks will usually appear around door frames, in the ceilin, in corner and along the walls.

Stuck Doors and Windows

Doors and windows get stuck in their frames when the frames are no longer square. In some cases bent door and window frames can be caused by a foundation shifting. Doors can stick, swing open after being shut, or have gaps at the top and bottom of the door. Windows can become difficult to open, stick and can separate from the framing.

Cracked or Loose Floor Tiles

Cracked or popped tiles may indicate the foundation is buckling, bulging, or sinking.

Creaking Sounds, Popping Sounds

Most of us had been in bed late at night and heard an occasional creak and said, “Well, the house is settling.” If your house creaks fairly often and especially if you hear popping noises, then the house — at least part of it — is definitely settling! The popping you hear is most likely the joists, beams, and/or studs moving or cracking as pressure is put on certain parts of the structure. This movement and those strange sounds are often signs of foundation problems.

A spike in your water bill

If your water bill goes up yet you’re not using any more water than usual, it’s possible that there’s a leak in your plumbing. If you’ve looked about your home and not found any water anywhere (don’t forget to check in the yard, too!), then the leak may be underground. This can happen when the soil shifts and a water pipe cracks or it pulls apart at a fitting. This can also happen when the foundation shifts and cracks the pipe or a fitting. Not only does this waste water and run up your utility bill, it can further damage your house by soaking the soil in or around the foundation, causing it to wash away or to push upwards. If your water goes up for no apparent reason, call a plumber and have them perform a leak test.

Sloping/Uneven Floors

When your home is built, the support structure is designed to hold whatever is on top of it. Over time, unstable soil, poor support design or waterproofing issues can damage your home’s foundation and cause uneven floors.