Warning Signs of Foundation You Should Know About
Foundation problems can mimic conditions that are benign. Do brick cracks or a small crack in the basement wall add up to anything, or is it a sign that the house is sinking? There are other signs that are not near the foundation. Sometimes only a professional can tell if there is a problem with the foundation that needs to be fixed. There are warning signs of foundation problems.
1. Exterior Cracks
Small cracks in the exterior walls or steps are usually not a problem. There may be something wrong with the foundation if the exterior cracks are large and zig-zag. There are bricks that protrude from the wall.
2. Interior Sheetrock Cracks
When the interior sheetrock cracks are zig-zagging, the homeowner should be aware of a problem. If there are cracks at the junction of the wall and the ceiling, they should call in a contractor.
3. Doors Out of Square and Uneven Floors
A door that is out of square and has cracks in the wall above it should be looked at by a professional. If there is a spill of water on the floor it will roll in one direction. If the floor is more than one or two inches per 15 feet, a homeowner should be concerned.
4. Door Frame/Window Frame Separation from Brick
A window frame that is pulling away from the brick wall is a sign that the foundation is in trouble.
5. Rotten Wood – Pier & Beams
Piers and beams exterior basement waterproofing with rotten wood can be a sign of a lot more than a bad foundation. The humidity of the basement can be too high, there has been a flood, or the piers and beams have been attacked. It’s not a good sign to call it Rotten Wood.
6. Bouncing floors – Rotten Wood
rotten wood can be a sign of other dire things. The floors should be checked by a professional.
7. Tile Cracks
The tiles are brittle even though they are hard. If there are too many cracks in the tile in the kitchen, bathroom, or wherever, this is a sign of foundation trouble.
8. Expansion Joint Seperation
The expansion joint is put in a structure to compensate for the shifting of the earth and other events. A failing foundation can cause the joint to fail and cause widespread cracking. The foundation can fail if the expansion joint fails.
9. Nails Pop Out of Drywall
A professional should be called in if the sight of a few nails popping out of the wall is widespread.
10. Walls Pull Away From the House
If the homeowner notices that the wall is pulling away from the house, a building contractor should be called in. The wall can fall if this isn’t fixed.
The homeowner needs to get in touch with a building contractor if they have more than a few warning signs of foundation issues.