While it’s always a good idea to have experts come inspect your foundation when you suspect damage, there’s also some ways you can guess the state of your foundation. Keep an eye out for these common signs:
Foundation Cracks in the Wall of Floor
While it’s normal for a home’s foundation to settle and develop tiny cracks in the first couple years after new construction, those can easily become bigger issues once time and natural conditions start to affect it. Homeowners should look out for gaps and large cracks in the floor or wall. Note if the cracks are vertical, horizontal, or diagonal and how long they are. Some cracks are worse than others, so you should call an expert for an inspection. If you’ve only noticed small cracks so far, then still take note of them and how they change through the freeze-thaw.
Uneven Floors or Ceilings
In some cases, the slab of a foundation will move in an upward direction so much that you start to notice uneven basement floors. If left unchecked, the slab might even snap in the middle. This typically occurs due to moisture and how it affects the soil under your home plus the weather conditions. A clay soil, for example, will expand more noticeably when it’s moist and potentially cause that upheaval. When the beams of a foundation have issues, they tend to sag, bow, or drip the ground and ceilings.
Doors or Windows that Won’t Open or Close Properly
This is often seen in sticking doors or doors that won’t close properly. In very humid areas, this can happen naturally after a heavy rain, but typically not in a region like Minnesota. If the frames of your doors or windows have damage, then it’s most likely due to foundation shifting that will only get worse if it’s not corrected. Homeowners should also look out for any cracks in the door or window frames.
Gaps Around the Windows
If that winter draft has been getting worse, even after you’ve tried to plug it up, then it’s most likely due to an issue with your foundation. You might also notice gaps around your exterior doors or they’re having similar issues mentioned above.
Flooding
Poor water drainage in the foundation is one of the most common reason why homes experience flooding in the basement. When the foundation has damage like cracks or gaps, that water has a way to enter the home. Plus, if the drain tiles are not working properly, then your home will not have a way to direct the water out of your home. This is why we often say if you’ve been dealing with a wet basement, our foundation experts can most likely help.
Concrete & Foundation Solutions brings over 20 years of experience to your job, and serves the Twin Cities metro.