What to Look For If You Suspect Foundation Instability
The quality of your foundation could be seriously compromised by foundation instability. It can spread to other areas of the home and putting off fixing it can lead to more complicated and expensive problems down the road. It is not always easy to see how a building’s base is shifting. Indicators of movement are more likely to be noticed by a homeowner than the actual move itself. Some of these signs and symptoms may warrant concern, while others might seem innocuous at first. It’s crucial that you know when to take action to fix your foundation. Here are some clues that the ground beneath you may be shifting.
As a result of the settlement in the foundation, your building will experience shifts, which will cause spaces to appear in unexpected locations. There is a possibility that ignoring the problem will cause it to become even more severe (and most certainly will).
Floors that are not level
Some instances of a slanted or uneven floor may go unnoticed. If you can place a ball on the floor and roll it down the sloping surface, there may be an issue with your foundation. Uneven flooring is often the result of a foundation that has settled or sunk unevenly.
The Chimney Does Not Have Sufficient Ventilation
A shifting foundation can also be identified by the presence of chimney damage or leaning. If the chimney is leaning toward the structure of your home or if it has become detached from the structure, the stability of your home may be in jeopardy.
Cracks
If you notice cracks in your walls or ceiling, it’s likely that your foundation is shifting or settling. When these cracks are ignored, they can cause the foundation to collapse. It’s important to keep an eye out for a wide variety of foundation cracks, as each one can indicate a different issue. Cracks at an angle could be the result of gradual natural settlement over time. Settlement or heave could be the cause of stair-step cracks in brickwork or masonry. Extreme pressure often causes cracks to run horizontally, and these are the most dangerous kinds of breaks.
Door or Window Stuck Open or Closed
Sticky windows and doors are often blamed on humidity, but a shifting or sinking foundation could be to blame. When your foundation moves, the stress on your building is redistributed in a different pattern. This could cause your windows or doors to become stuck.
Many homeowners avoid hiring a professional to repair their foundation because they are afraid the professional will recommend the most expensive or unnecessary solution. If you’re worried about this, a structural engineer can inspect the damage and give you advice on how to fix it in a report.
Get in touch with RLM Retrofit Foundation right away if you need our skilled and efficient foundation repair services. Our company has been in business for many years, and among the many specialized services we offer are crawl space repair, concrete leveling, and Foundation Inspection Bell.
