9 Signs You Need to Repair Your Foundation

Who knew owning a home could be this expensive?

Apart from the down payment and other long-term expenses like the mortgage, insurance policies, and property taxes, you have to factor in home maintenance costs too. The average American spends close to $5000 on repairs, a figure that could rise if there are large repair projects, like roof replacement and to repair foundation issues.

Talking about foundation repairs, while the list of home repairs may be long and frightening, foundation repair is on a whole different level. The foundation is one of the most crucial aspects of your home, and if anything goes wrong, it could compromise the whole structure of your home. The most important aspect of foundation repairs is catching the signs early and doing the repairs before the damages extend too much.

So what are the signs that you need foundation repair? In this post, we’ll share with you the top nine signs that your home needs foundation repairs. This way, you can catch them early and do the repairs before the damages compromise the rest of your home.

1. Poor Water Drainage

Water is by far the leading cause of foundation problems, and if you’ve noticed that your home water drainage problems, it’s a sign you need to repair the foundation. You see, water accumulates around the foundation, which causes the soil to expand and add pressure to foundation footing and walls.

This, in turn, leads to cracks both inside and outside the property. To catch drainage problems, check around your property for wet soil if there hasn’t been raining, or too dry soil after rains. If you find any, chances are you have water drainage problems, and your foundation needs repair.

2. There Are Cracks in Your Drywall

There are so many reasons why you may find cracks in your drywall, like moisture in high humidity climates. Apart from humidity, water damage from the roof can also cause cracks in the drywall.

However, if these two are not responsible, there’s a very good chance you could be dealing with foundation problems. These cracks alone may not be enough to tell you whether the foundation is uneven or not, but once you notice them, check for other signs of foundation issues to be sure of what you’re dealing with.

3. Bowing Walls

Bowing walls are a sign of a serious foundation problem, and you’ll need to ensure you get to that repair foundation issue as soon as possible. You see, if your foundation walls bow any more than three inches, you’ll need to have professionals install wall anchors to stabilize and straighten them.

To some extent, you may even have to excavate part of the foundation and rebuild it again. If, for instance, you had a leaking pipe or flooding problem that sent droves of water along the perimeter of the property, it may undermine the whole area. A professional would have to look at it and determine the best course of action.

4. Door Gaps

When the foundation has problems, doors tend to get stuck and not close properly. If you notice that your doors have gaps at the top, it’s usually because the foundation has settled, and you need to level it to solve the issue.

A lot of people tend to overlook some of these seemingly mundane things and the possibility that their foundation may be sinking. Most figure out that the issue is in the door jamb and adjust it. However, this is usually just a temporary problem if the foundation is sinking.

There are several reasons why the foundation could be sinking, like poor construction, drainage problems, and ground movement. In any case, you need to call in a specialist to find the problem.

5. Sticking Windows

Just like doors, sticking windows could also be an indication that you need to repair the foundation. Of course, your windows may be sticking due to moisture, because the wood around the window expands with moisture, it could make them harder to open and close. A common cause is also a foundation sinking issue, and you may also have to level the foundation to fix the window problem.

6. There’s Moisture in Your Crawlspace

Most homes with foundation issues have moisture in the crawlspace or a wet and leaking basement. Most of the time, this moisture gets through foundational cracks. You may notice musty smells due to mold growth, sagging floorboards, and uneven floors if this is the issue you’re dealing with.

7. The Walls Are Separating From the House

Wall separation may be caused by bowing, but sometimes this may not be the case. As the soil moves and the foundation shifts, the walls will start separating from the rest of the structure. You may notice some gaps in between the walls and your cupboards, for instance, which is a clear indication of the walls moving further away from the house.

In this case, you have a serious foundation problem that needs immediate repair. Apart from the cupboards, you may also notice that the walls have separated from the ceiling or the floor. This is usually a warning sign that you have a structural issue with the foundation.

8. Uneven and Sagging Floors

Sagging and uneven floors are usually a clear indication of foundation problems. If you notice how easily things are rolling on the floor or find a soft spot somewhere in the house, you need to repair the foundation.

It may have been caused by inadequate foundation waterproofing, which allowed in water that eventually warped the floor. If you have these issues, call in a professional to check it out and advise you accordingly.

9. There Are Bugs in the House

It’s common for most homeowners to deal with pests and bugs at home, but it’s different when you have a foundation problem. You see, when there are cracks on the floor,  crawling bugs such as ants, pillbugs, earwigs, roaches, and centipedes will easily find their way into your home. It could be a different reason, but if you have noticed these bugs, you may want to start looking for other foundation issues.

Do You Need to Repair Foundation Problems?

These are some of the most common signs that you need to repair foundation problems. If you have concerns and need to address the issue immediately, start by calling a professional for help.

Our crawlspace and basement waterproofing company will check your foundation and help you solve any issues related to water, which will save your foundation. Please contact our experts today!

Learn more about Sedona Waterproofing Solutions.