The foundation is one of the most important parts of any home, as it holds up the entire structure. This is why it’s so important to make sure your home is maintained in such a way as to keep your foundation in good condition. No matter how well you take care of your house, home foundation repair is going to be necessary at some point along your homeownership journey. In spite of that, home foundation repair is something most homeowners don’t tend to think about that often. This can be problematic because if you address foundation issues right away, you can save thousands of dollars in the long run. If you wait for a minor issue to become a major problem, you stand to lose a lot of money.
So, you’ve looking to take preventative measures to safeguard the integrity of your home. You’ve set up gutters on your roof to divert water at least 10 feet away from your foundation. You’ve followed all our steps to avoid a foundation disaster. Now what? How do you know if you need home foundation repairs? The following are several warning signs that you should look out for.
1. CRACKS IN WALLS
If you find cracks in the walls of your home, that’s a certain indicator of house settlement and foundation damage. Cracks may be found inside, in your home’s drywall, or they might be on the exterior of your house. It isn’t uncommon to find noticeable cracks zig-zagging through a brick wall.
2. DOORS AND WINDOWS STICKING
If you find doors or windows in your home that are getting stuck, that’s a sign that your foundation is settling. If this occurs in your home, the doors and windows affected will probably feel strained when you try to move them and may be difficult to open or close.
3. GAPS INSIDE CAULKING
The doors and windows in your house are sealed against the elements with a caulking solution placed around them. If you see small cracks in the caulking, this is most likely a result of your foundation shifting and settling.
4. GAPS IN THE CEILING
It’s not uncommon to find gaps between the crown molding and the ceiling, between the walls and the ceiling, or even running through a ceiling’s center. This is often a sign that your foundation needs repair.
5. SLOPING FLOORS
If your home is just barely sloped — up to one inch across the entire foundation — it shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you find that your home slopes more than one inch every 15 or 20 feet, your foundation may need immediate attention to keep the problem from worsening. You should reach out to a house leveling company to learn what to do about this problem.
6. GAPS BETWEEN PATIOS AND THE HOUSE
You may find that your outdoor patios are pulling away from your home. This could be an indication that your foundation needs repair.
7. CREASES AND WRINKLES IN WALLPAPER
When walls start to shift position due to foundation problems, any wallpaper on them will shift as well, resulting in creases and wrinkles. If you find this on any of the walls in your home, you’ll want to consider whether your foundation needs repair.
8. SINKING FLOORS
If certain floors in your home are sunken down, that could be an indication of a foundation issue, and you should consult with foundation contractors right away.
9. NAIL POPS
Nail pops are small, cracked circles that develop when a nail is pulled away from the drywall it’s in. This causes the nail head to be visible, and it may push the nail up, away from the wall.
CONCLUSION
These are all things to look out for to find out if your foundation needs repair.
Remember: being proactive about home foundation repair will save you a lot of money in the long run. Don’t put it off until you have a major problem on your hands.