8 Signs Your Home Has a Foundation Problem
Are you playing detective in your own home? You’re not alone. Many homeowners overlook the subtle signs of foundation issues. From hairline cracks to doors that won’t close, your home shows signs when it needs attention.
This page outlines eight foundation problems, and the repairs experts use to address them.
8 Signs of Foundation Issues
Eight signs of foundation issues include:
1. Drywall Cracks or Floor Cracks
Drywall cracks, including ceiling cracks, drywall cracks above doors and windows, and floor cracks are among the most common signs of foundation damage. These cracks appear on the exterior and interior of your home and may signal foundation movement.
2. Sticking Doors and Windows
Misaligned windows and doors that are difficult to open and close may signal foundation problems. Regular inspections and prompt repairs can help prevent further damage.
3. Floor and Wall Gaps
Gaps in floors, walls, doors, or windows can be signs of foundation movement. If neglected, these gaps may widen, leading to air drafts, water infiltration, and further structural instability. Addressing gaps and cracks early maintains your home’s integrity.
4. Sagging or Uneven Floors
Bouncy, sagging, and uneven floors often indicate failing structural supports beneath the home caused by moisture, mold, wood rot, or failing floor joists and beams. These issues are warning signs of potential foundation issues that affect home health.
5. Leaning or Cracked Chimney
A leaning, cracked chimney may indicate unstable or shifting soil beneath the foundation. This can also be caused by water damage or poor construction. Regular inspection by a foundation expert detects chimney and foundation problems early, potentially saving you from costly repairs.
6. Bowing Basement Walls
Bowing basement walls buckle inward due to hydrostatic pressure from surrounding soil, causing foundation movement. This issue is often exacerbated by poor drainage systems or improper landscape grading. In severe cases, bowing walls can lead to complete structural failure and may require specialized wall anchors or carbon fiber reinforcement strips to prevent collapse.
7. Musty Smells
Mold growth and musty smells are caused by moisture or water seepage from a damaged foundation. These issues can lead to health problems, particularly for individuals with respiratory and neurological conditions or weakened immune systems. Signs of foundation issues worsen over time, so contact a repair expert as soon as you notice the first signs.
8. Basement Water Leaks
Basement water leaks and flooding are often linked to foundation problems. Efflorescence, a white powdery substance on concrete walls, signifies this foundation water seepage. Water leaks also cause mold growth, mildew, wood rot, pest infestations, and poor indoor air quality.
Now that you know the eight key signs of foundation damage, you can proactively monitor your home’s condition. Early detection is crucial for addressing foundation problems effectively. If you notice signs of foundation issues, contact Groundworks for a free inspection.
Download our foundation problem signs guide for more detailed information.
What Causes Foundation Problems?
If you notice signs of foundation issues, you may wonder what is causing it. While some homeowners attribute these problems to inadequate construction and building practices, environmental factors, like soil composition and weather, may also be to blame.
Soil Composition
Soil composition varies by region; however, all soils contain sand, silt, and clay elements. In southern states, sandy soils with quick draining capabilities are most common, while expansive clay soils and silt soils with moderate drainage properties are prevalent throughout the country. Foundation movement and settlement occur when the soil beneath the home contracts and weakens. While soil expansion causes foundation heave.
According to Realtor.com, the top three causes of foundation problems are degradation of stem walls, foundation settlement, and foundation heave—all attributed to soil conditions. Here’s how soil affects your foundation:
- Inadequate soil compaction during the initial home construction causes the foundation to sink.
- Soil expansion and softening during wet and rainy seasons cause hydrostatic pressure.
- Soil shrinkage during droughts and dry seasons causes cracks and foundation movement.
Other factors contributing to foundation issues include:
- Tree root growth beneath the foundation
- Hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls
- Foundation water damage from floods and leaks
- Load-bearing wall deterioration
- Improper exterior drainage systems
How Groundworks Repairs Foundation Damage
Now that you understand more about foundation problems and their causes, the next step is to repair the damage. Signs of foundation issues worsen if unaddressed. Cracks widen, settlement increases, and uneven floors become more unstable.
Foundation repair solutions from Groundworks include:
- Carbon Fiber Straps: Low-profile carbon fiber straps, ten times stronger than steel, are epoxied to cracked or bowing basement walls to reinforce them and prevent further movement.
- Wall Repair System: For inward bowing walls that require straightening without exterior excavation, Groundworks uses the IntelliBrace™ wall repair system. Unlike conventional static I-beams, IntelliBrace™ supports are adjusted periodically to restore walls to their original positions.
- Wall Anchors: Wall anchors stabilize bowing foundation walls by counteracting hydrostatic pressure. Steel rods connect earth anchors to the basement’s interior wall plates. These components can be tightened using specialized equipment to straighten walls over time.
- Crawl Space Support Jacks: Our IntelliJack™ crawl space support jacks reinforce and lift floors above the crawl space. We customize these supports to accommodate your crawl space’s height requirements.
- Foundation Piers: Foundation piers permanently stabilize and potentially lift foundations to their original position. These piers include helical piers, push piers, and slab piers.
Foundation repair is not a DIY project and should be left to the experts. A professional inspection, diagnosis, and tailored repair strategy ensure a comprehensive, long-term solution. Repair costs vary, depending on the extent of the damage and the necessary repairs.
Contact Groundworks for a free inspection, a tailored repair strategy, and an honest cost estimate.
Groundworks: Free Inspections and Expert Foundation Repair Strategies
Groundworks understands the importance of your home because we’re homeowners, too. We offer professional foundation repair services and solutions that offer long-term results. With locations in over 30 states, Groundworks offers nationwide foundation repair and waterproofing solutions to safeguard your home from the ground up. Address the signs of foundation issues today with Groundworks.
Schedule your free inspection today!
Foundation Issues FAQs
Regular maintenance, proper drainage, and monitoring for early signs of trouble can help prevent many common foundation issues.
While some minor issues might be temporarily alleviated with quick fixes, lasting repairs generally require professional assessment and intervention.
Yes, foundation problems can create gaps and cracks that allow cold air to enter your home and warm air to escape. Addressing foundation issues with Groundworks can improve your home’s overall insulation and energy efficiency.
