How to Know if Your House Foundation Is Bad
The foundation your home rests on provides support for the entire structure. Without a strong and stable foundation, the structure becomes susceptible to shifting in the soil from moisture changes and frost heave. Catching serious foundation problems early allows you to make repairs before you need a full foundation replacement. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Jammed Doors
-
A front or interior door that suddenly sticks in its frame and won't swing freely is a common indicator of foundation problems, says Realty Times. The entire frame of the house shifts slightly when a section of the foundation sinks or rises, which puts door frames off by millimeters, but the tiny adjustment affects the fit and movement of the door. Unless the hinges are damaged or the door itself warps, changes in the door's fit should trigger an inspection of the foundation.
Leaning and Sagging
-
When basement walls form part of the home's foundation, they display signs of damage very well. One of the most serious signs of foundation failure that shows on a foundation wall involves sagging, bowing or leaning. Walls that bow out towards the center or lean in at the top show that the soil pressure pushing on the foundation is stronger than the structure itself, according to Barrier Foundation Services. If not dealt with quickly, the entire home can collapse.
-
Interior Cracks
-
Cracks running down the corners of interior rooms or across the ceiling indicate foundation shifting and movement. Once walls are pulling away from each other and cracking the plaster or drywall, the foundation has serious damage, warns Power Jack Foundation Repair. Cracks and gaps also occur around door and window frames as the structure tilts and twists. Tiled floors sitting over the concrete slab show these cracks first in both the tiles and the grout holding them together.
Sloped Floors
-
The first floor of the home shows signs of a sinking foundation first, especially if the floor sits directly above the slab. As the foundation lowers due to damage or loose soil, one side of the floor will sink with it, says Superior Foundation Repair. Damaged floor joists also cause this problem, so check the supports below the floor before assuming that the problem lies in the foundation.
-
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
