vine covered entrance of old brick house with lion head knocker on front door
If you’re the owner of an older home, chances are your foundation may be showing some signs of wear and tear. Although foundation repair isn’t always necessary, it’s important to keep an eye out for telltale warning signs that indicate that your foundation needs help. Read on for five common signs that your foundation needs some TLC.
Your Interior Walls Have Cracks
Without proper maintenance, your foundation can cause significant damage to your home. If there are cracks on your interior walls, this is a clear sign of damage to your foundation. This type of crack can form when shifting soil levels cause pressure against different parts of your home. If these cracks appear regularly, you should contact a professional to check them out.
Your Exterior Bricks Have Cracks
If your home’s foundation is older than 10 years, you should keep an eye out for cracks in your exterior foundation bricks. If there are cracks, it’s an indication that your foundation is breaking down and is starting to shift. This can cause serious structural damage and puts your property at risk of future sinking. A foundation repair specialist can help get your foundation fixed before something serious happens.
Slanted Mortar
If you notice that the mortar between the bricks of your home are becoming more and more sideways, then it is likely that your home is sinking and the foundation needs to be raised. This is especially common for homes on hills where mudslides are commonplace.
Joint Cracks
Either inside or outside, check for cracks between the joints where perpendicular walls come together. These cracks often continue to get larger as the foundation degrades. If not caught early enough, your home may become unstable and unsafe. If you notice that the joints of your home are separating, then call a professional to repair your foundation immediately.
The Doors Aren’t Latching
Doors that don’t latch properly are typically an indication that either the wall frames aren’t level or that you have a damaged foundation. When doors don’t close securely, they leave gaps through which water can seep. Eventually, your house may begin to feel drafty as a result of those leaks, and there is also a chance that any furniture near those gaps will be damaged by excess moisture. If you spot an issue with one of your doors, a professional foundation repair expert should be able to tell you whether or not your home needs additional work.
There Are Sagging Floors
Sagging floors can be a sign that your home’s foundation is beginning to fail. Since your floors are directly attached to your foundation, any damage or cracks can cause them to sag. Not only is the sagging unsightly, but it is also a safety hazard. If you have sagging floors, don’t try to make structural modifications yourself. Instead of hiring a flooring contractor, it may be more ideal to invest in foundation repair or replacement for best results.
Bugs are Frequent
If you have foundation issues, then it may not matter how often you have a pest control person spray your home. One of the easiest ways for pests to enter your home is through cracks in the foundation or through cracks caused by foundation issues. If you feel like you have to get your home sprayed for pests more than your neighbors, then consider the possibility that your home foundation needs repair.
There Is Mold in the Basement
Signs of mold in the basement are another potential indication of a bad foundation. The presence of mold in your home is a sign that you have some type of water problem in your basement, which may be directly related to gaps or cracks in your home’s foundation. If you can’t identify the source of the mold, it’s time to call in an expert to inspect your foundation.
Bowing Walls
If your walls seem to be bowing toward the inside of your home or to the outside, then it is likely that soil under your foundation is moving and causing foundation problems. Sometimes bowing causes visible cracks in your drywall but oftentimes, it is noticed by walking through your home at different angles and in different lighting. Another common issue caused by bowing is sticky windows or sticky doors. All of which, are symptoms of foundation problems.
Space Between Walls and Ceiling
Similar to the symptoms of your home’s joints coming apart, a damaged or sinking foundation can often cause the walls to separate from the ceiling. To check for this, you can look at the caulk between the wall and the ceiling. If cracks are visible or seem to be getting larger, then it is time to contact a foundation company. Sometimes this is visible on the outside or on the inside, but they don’t tend to be visible on both at the same time.
Foundation repair and foundation replacement services can be costly, but they’re also necessary if you want to keep your home safe. Pay attention to the aforementioned five signs that your home’s foundation needs attention.
