A home’s integrity relies on the foundation beneath it. This is why structural damage is so serious and can be expensive to repair. Many of the warning signs of foundation damage are subtle. How do you know if you had a foundation problem? There are several signs of foundation issues some more obvious than others.
Here’s a list of signs to look for to determine whether you have foundation problems:
- Cracks in the wall. Wall cracks are caused by natural settlement and are usually harmless. However, there are more serious wall cracks that are early signs of foundation problems. For example unusually long horizontal cracks, pronounced cracks wider than 1/4 inch, and large diagonal cracks around door frame corners.
- Cracks in the ceiling. Even the slightest foundation settling can ship the ceiling structure which results in ceiling cracks. Look for matching vertical cracks or cracks that extend along the entire length of the ceiling.
- Cracks in the slab foundation. If a crack appears in the form of stair steps, it’s most likely structure and a sign you have house foundation problems.
- Windows or door frames pulling away from the wall. A door frame that is pulling away from the wall or twisting is a sign of a serious foundation problem.
- Sagging or uneven floors. The direction of the floor slopes most likely shows where the foundation damage lies.