It goes without saying that dirt settles. Over a very long period of time, the earth beneath your home has shifted and created several distinct strata. Every layer has unique qualities, and this has a significant impact on the structure and foundation above. The foundation may start to sink and settle into the ground if these soil layers are unable to support the weight of your home on top of them.
When this occurs, the sinking foundation of your home can cause damage in a variety of ways, some more evident than others. The warning indications of foundation deterioration are obvious when you know what to look for, and acting quickly before the damage worsens is essential.
How to Recognize Foundation Settlement and Sinking Foundation Damage
Foundation Cracks
Finding significant fractures in your foundation walls is one of the most evident symptoms that you have an issue with foundation sinking or settling. However, not all fractures in foundation walls are harmful; some are quite typical. So, how do you distinguish between them? The variables include size, direction, and location.
A portion of the foundation may be separated from the rest of the structure if foundation wall fractures are larger up top than at the bottom. It’s advisable not to plug the cracks with anything if you observe this issue until you know whether or not the foundation has to be stabilized. If the fissures are filled, a builder might be unable to pull the foundation back into position.
Another thing to bear in mind is that although some sinking or sliding foundations have a single huge break, others have several smaller ones. Just visualize how big the gap would be if several small cracks were combined.
Wall Cracks Or Frames Over Windows And Doors
Cracks in plaster and drywall can usually be repaired, but what creates them in the first place? They can result from too much moisture or a bad mud and tape installation, although they present indicators that your house has foundation issues. If the fissures were caused by foundation settlement, you would often see them reopen after being fixed. How can you identify the kinds of cracks that are actually a problem? There are various important signs that urge you to act.
If a crack has been patched up before and then reopened, the foundation is most likely moving or settling. If you are not the home’s original owner, carefully examine the region around the crack to see if it has ever been mended. Often, the region where the fracture was previously fixed will have a coarser finish or slight hump. When it comes to drywall, nail pops are another item to look out for. Nail pops happen when the drywall has damage where screws or nails have been inserted. The drywall mud that covers the screw may occasionally come out if the drywall moves. If you see more than one, it can be a symptom of foundation settlement.
Sticking Doors Or Windows
Older homes tend to have more sticking windows and doors than newer ones. Sometimes it may be a moisture problem brought on by high humidity or worn-out interior components of a window system. On the other side, the door or window might be falling out of the square due to a shifting or sinking foundation.
You may have a window contractor take a look at particularly old windows that stick. As rising amounts of moisture in the wood may cause it to expand, a seasonal problem may be a sign that the issue is moisture-related.
If you are not the original owner of a door, rub your fingers across its top to check if it has ever been smoothed down. If the wood has been shaved, it will feel harsher. If it was once shaved to fit and is now rubbing again, your home’s foundation is probably moving or sinking.
Uneven Floors
Your home’s floors are built of concrete in the basement and wood on the higher levels. Any level of your home’s uneven floor might be dangerous. The foundation settling or heaves are typically to blame for uneven concrete flooring in basements. In any instance, you should have it examined by a professional because those disorders frequently worsen with time.
There might be a number of reasons why the wood floors on the higher levels aren’t level. The basement or internal crawlspace columns might be moving, or the foundation could be sinking. Sagging floor joists, which are particularly frequent in homes with a dirt crawlspace, are yet another possible problem.
The greatest thing you can do is take action right away if any of the settling foundation indicators previously mentioned have had you concerned about your house. Hire an expert to come to your home and look at your foundation to see if there is an issue. If there is an issue, you will be informed of the fixes required to solve it and stop additional harm.
If you see signs of foundation sinking or settlement, contact us for a free in-home inspection and a same-day, no-obligation price for repair. Find out more about how foundation issues and the resulting repairs affect the value of your property. We’ll be pleased to let you know the good news as well if we find that you don’t have a foundation issue.
Give Pierman Foundation Repair a call today at (580) 453-0330 and schedule your foundation repair evaluation to get one step closer to a more sound and secure home for you and your family.
