Things You'll Need:
- Screwdriver
- Flashlight
-
Step 1
Remove debris around the foundation. Vegetation can hide exterior foundation problems. You may have to take out trees or trim back shrubs for access. Sometimes the only way to spot foundation problems is to go into the basement. Clear furniture and storage totes from the floor and move all items away from the basement walls.
-
Step 2
Scan the perimeter for a shifting foundation. During construction, builders sink concrete footers below the foundation to support the structure's weight. The foundation shifts when a footer deteriorates, sinks or isn't wide enough to distribute the weight of the building. Look for a gap between the foundation and the frame. Usually, a shift begins in the corner. Over time, the structure will settle unevenly or slide off the foundation, so expect the damage to be on one side of the structure.
-
Step 3
Examine the masonry for foundation problems. Loose brick allows water to enter the foundation wall. The water freezes, expands and causes more bricks to fall out. The cycle weakens the wall and may cause it to split or collapse. Also, check for deteriorating brick. Old homes and some new homes consist of recycled brick. Generally, recycled brick deteriorates more rapidly than new brick. Check loose mortar with a screwdriver. If the mortar is bad in a specific area, chalk it up to a weak mix of mortar.
-
Step 4
Check for termite damage in foundations covered in wooden siding. Termites can destroy wood skirting, which is not a problem for the foundation per se. The damage leaves the foundation exposed and vulnerable to moisture, which can cause cracks and other foundation problems later.
-
Step 5
Look for significant cracks. Expect some older structures to have age cracks, or slab foundations to have shrinkage cracks. Keep an eye on cracks that are more than 1/4 inch wide. Cracks that appear to have been patched numerous times signal ongoing foundation problems that will likely worsen if neglected. Horizontal wall cracks form from exterior pressure on the wall. When expansive soils like clay freeze and then thaw, they cause a foundation wall or a slab to heave, bow and buckle. Vertical wall cracks, also called stair-step cracks, form from uneven settling or improper backfilling during construction.
-
Step 6
Go to the basement or crawlspace to check for water damage. Use a flashlight to search for standing water on the floor. Check the walls for efflorescence, a white mineral residue that sticks to walls after water seeps into the basement and then evaporates. Water damage hints at structural damage or potential foundation problems.
