Signs that Foundation Repair Is Necessary

Foundation repair is one of the most important steps individuals need to take to safeguard their home. This is what holds a home in place and any problems with it can put the entire home at risk. If left untreated, the result can be that the home becomes unstable. The walls, roofing and supporting beams throughout become weak. This can lead to air and water leaks. It can also lead to the home becoming unsafe to remain in long term. However, most people can find solutions that can fix these problems right away and for less money than trying to repair structural damage to the rest of the home.

The Signs You Need Help

The following are some of the most common signs that foundation repair is necessary. If you notice these, you should contact a professional to come to the home for an inspection of the home. In doing so, you can learn what options are available to you to protect the home from further damage.

Look for cracks in the interior drywall. Drywall will not usually crack unless there are conditions putting too much pressure on it.

Do you have doors or windows that do not open easily? If they stick, this indicates the angles have changed in those frames, which indicates potential loose soil under the home.

You may notice cracks develop on the flooring especially on tile. If the tile is new, this could be because it was laid improperly. However, those not recently installed could break due to shifts in the soil below.

Look for gaps around the doors and windows outside. These likely will occur if there is settling that is significant. This could also happen because of drainage problems pushing soil away from the home.

Cracks in stairs inside and outside of the home can also be a problem. This indicates a change in the foundation as well.

Is the chimney pulling away? If there are gaps here, this could indicate a change that is affecting the entire home.

Look for cracks in the actual foundation. If you notice any cracks in the lower portions of the walls outside of the home or in the basement's flooring or walls, this could indicate a substantial problem. The larger the cracks, the more important it is for you to get help.

Foundation repair is not something to put off since it will worsen over time. However, if treated properly and as soon as possible, it may be possible to reduce the amount of damage that occurs long-term in the home. Homeowners should take steps to inspect their home for these signs on an annual basis or more frequently. These types of problems can happen to new and older homes.