Signs of Foundation Issues
When it comes to the longevity of your home, it is important to know the signs of foundation issues, as this has a big impact on the safety and value of your home. Below are signs to look out for when conducting a visual inspection of your home’s foundation and structure.
Visible Cracks in Foundation or Walls/Floors
If your foundation has developed cracks, your walls or floors have cracks, or your chimney is broken, these are signs of foundation issues. It is normal for your home to experience movement in the foundation over time due to various reasons. However, because of this movement, your foundation can shift, and gaps can become a problem.
Within the first few years, it is typical for the foundation to sink a little and develop small cracks. It is important, however, to look at the type and size of the crack. If the crack is horizontal or the gap is bigger than 1/4″, then you should get it examined by a foundation repair professional.
Foundation Sinking
If you have started to notice that one side of your home is lower than the rest, then there is a good possibility that your home has a settling issue and maybe sinking. If you notice this, your first step should be to have a foundation expert take a look at your home, and then you may need to get your foundation lifted by either interior or exterior piers.
Settling issues can cause a vertical gap to develop in your foundation. If a gap goes ignored, the gap can grow to be a bigger issue than the original small gap. The larger the gap, the greater the safety issues can become.
Problem With Doors
A sign that you have foundation problems is if your interior doors are catching at the top or are sticking when you try to open them. As for your exterior doors, if they are catching at the bottom or your door is shorter on one side at the top, these are also signs of foundation issues. When foundation damage has occurred, it is wise to contact a foundation repair company to take a look and identify the problem, you could be experiencing foundation failure.
Counter and Cabinet Gaps
Lastly, if you have gaps between the wall and your countertops or cabinets in your kitchen, these are signs that your foundation could be having problems. If your gap is 1/8″ wide you should get that professionally examined, if left unattended it could grow to be as big as 1/2″ wide. It is best to have it taken care of at the earlier signs before it grows to become a larger issue. If you do notice any of these signs, have an evaluation done by a qualified foundation repair expert right away.
