A home is only as stable as its foundation, so it’s important to watch out for any signs of movement or damage. While minor hairline cracks are normal, if you notice cracks that widen over time or jagged cracks that form at angles around windows and doors, it’s time to call in a professional for a foundation inspection. For expert assistance, contact specialists in foundation repair Nashville.
1. Uneven or Sagging Floors
Uneven or sagging floors are usually a sign of foundation issues. They can be caused by soil movement, poor construction, or natural settling over time. This is a good reason to get regular maintenance on your house.
Uneven floors can be dangerous, especially for children and elderly people. They can trip or fall over them, which can be a major problem. Also, they can make doors and windows difficult to open and close. If you notice a musty smell in your home, it may be due to moisture that is seeping through foundation cracks. This can lead to mold and mildew, which is another sign of foundation problems. This is a serious health issue that should be addressed immediately. Also, this moisture can cause wood beams to rot, which leads to other problems in the house.
2. Cracks in the Walls
Some cracks in the walls aren’t serious. Hairline vertical cracks that are limited to drywall and don’t show any sign of widening can be considered low-priority and require only periodic inspections to assess their severity.
Wider cracks, particularly diagonal or jagged ones, are a more serious concern and require professional assessment. These cracks are typically the result of structural movement, indicating that the foundation has shifted or sunk.
They may also indicate that soil compaction wasn’t adequate during construction or that fluctuations in moisture levels are causing drywall and plaster to expand or contract. Either way, you should call in a foundation specialist as soon as possible to assess the problem and determine if further investigation is needed.
3. Uneven or Sagging Baseboards
If your baseboards are no longer flush with your floor, it is a sign that the foundation has shifted and needs repair. Often, this happens due to the natural settling of a house, or it can be caused by uneven subflooring that wasn’t properly leveled during construction.
Gaps between the baseboard and floor aren’t just an aesthetic concern – they can also affect energy efficiency by allowing drafts to enter the home. Fortunately, there are reliable solutions for gaps that include caulking and shoe molding.
Uneven floors can have many causes, including poor soil compaction and excessive moisture in crawl spaces. A qualified foundation repair specialist can assess the situation and determine which solution is right for you. Helical and steel push piers are effective at lifting homes that have sunk into the ground, while plate anchors can help prevent basement walls from leaning inward.
4. Gaps Around Windows and Doors
The gaps around windows and doors are a clear sign that your foundation is shifting. Gaps are a result of the foundation settling differentially, and as it shifts, the frame of the window or door will go out of square. This leads to the windows or doors sticking or not closing properly, which is a major sign that your foundation needs repair.
While vertical hairline cracks are normal, large gaps are not and often indicate a serious issue with your home’s structure. Similarly, gaps in the wall framing and drywall are another indicator that your foundation needs repairs.
These problems are usually caused by heaving and settlement, which occurs when moisture in the soil freezes and expands, pushing up the foundation slab. If you notice any of these issues in your home, contact a professional as soon as possible.
5. Water Stains on the Walls or Floors
Water stains are never “just cosmetic.” They’re a sign of hidden problems like mold and structural damage. And they’re a surefire sign that you need to request foundation repair services.
When water seeps into the walls or floors, it can weaken drywall and warp wood. It can also corrode metal parts, creating a safety hazard. And it can cause other problems like sagging ceilings and buckling floorboards.
Moisture is another leading cause of foundation problems. When it’s left unaddressed, it can lead to mold growth, structural damage, and a variety of other issues. You can look for signs of moisture by walking around the exterior of your home and looking for soft areas in the soil. If the ground is sinking, that’s a serious issue and may need to be addressed with helical piers.
6. Uneven or Sagging Ceilings
If your home has uneveness in its ceilings, it’s a sign that the foundation is shifting or sinking. This issue is a serious problem that requires immediate attention.
Cracks in the exterior walls of your home are another common warning sign that it’s time for foundation repair. However, it’s important to note that these cracks can be caused by many different things such as soil settlement and aging of the concrete.
When the foundation shifts, it can cause gaps to open up around doors and windows. This is a big problem because it allows water, pests, and debris to enter the home. Additionally, it can make doors and windows harder to open. Fortunately, routine inspections can catch these problems early and prevent them from getting worse. This way, you can save money and avoid costly repairs in the future.
7. Uneven or Sagging Doors or Windows
Door frames and windows may become misaligned due to a variety of factors, including general wear and tear, loose or worn hinges, and structural problems. When paired with other signs, such as wall cracks or sagging floors, this is often an indication of foundation settlement.
Moisture in the crawl space can also cause heaving floors and sinking foundation walls. Checking the crawlspace regularly and calling a specialist for foundation repair as soon as you notice moisture is a good way to prevent serious damage.
Heaving and settling often happen because of erosion of the soil around the foundation. Heavy rain can wash away soil, causing voids that shift and settle the foundation above. The heaving and shifting can also create hydrostatic pressure against basement walls. This can lead to bowing walls that require plate anchors or helical tiebacks to stabilize them and mitigate further structural damage.
8. Uneven or Sagging Floors
If you notice that your floors are uneven or sagging, it could be a sign that your foundation is shifting. This can lead to other problems, including doors and windows that won’t close properly. This issue usually results from poor drainage around the foundation. Standing water can erode the soil, creating pressure on the foundation and causing it to sink or shift.
While some sloping in older homes is normal, excessive sagging or bouncy flooring should be considered a serious problem that requires a professional inspection. Foundation repair experts can install pier systems to correct the problem and prevent it from happening again. Taking action early can help you avoid more expensive repairs and maintain the value of your home. It can also improve safety and reduce the risk of injury. This is especially important if you have children or elderly relatives living in your house.
9. Uneven or Sagging Ceilings
The structure of your home can shift with temperature changes, causing movement in the frame or studs that hold your ceiling. Depending on the cause, this can lead to sagging or even a collapsed ceiling.
You’ll notice a visible sag in your ceiling, usually near the joists. If you’re unsure of the cause, it’s best to consult an expert building inspector.
Sagging and bowing walls are another sign of a foundation problem that needs to be addressed immediately. If the walls are seriously bowing, you may need wall anchors installed or even a complete foundation replacement.
It’s essential to be proactive about foundation issues, because the sooner they are fixed, the less costly and disruptive it will be for your family. A professional will be able to advise on the best solution, whether it’s underpinning or a different repair method.
10. Uneven or Sagging Floors
Few things scare homeowners more than discovering foundation problems. However, it is important to know the signs of foundation movement so that you can have them fixed as soon as possible.
One of the first signs of a shifting foundation is uneven or sagging floors. These are usually a sign that the weight of your home is being unevenly distributed across the floor and can lead to cracking in the walls or ceilings.
It is also possible for the shift in your foundation to cause doors and windows to become misaligned or difficult to open and close. This is because the shifting can cause gaps in the wall frames, which makes them hard to fit tightly within the frames. You can prevent this by making sure your gutters are properly positioned to direct water away from your foundation and by regrading the soil around your house to slope it away from your foundation.