Signs That Foundation Repair Is Necessary

Over time, everything changes and that includes your home’s foundation. It’s the most important part of the house, which is hence it needs proper maintenance. Without a good foundation, your home could be plagued by many structural issues. So, when do you know if your home is in dire need of foundation repair?

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Importance of Being Smart in Fixing Foundation Problems

Foundation cracks are no minor thing to be ignored. The common reasons for home foundation problems include foundation settlement, stem walls deterioration, and foundation heave. These can cost you more in the long run if you don’t fix them immediately.

The age of your home might not be the sole reason for a weak foundation. In fact, there are newly constructed properties which already have structural problems.

The need for repair work for existing foundations may also be due to heavy roofing materials. You may replace them with lighter-weight material to avoid further damage.

How to Recognize Foundation Problems That Require Fixing

The base of your home changes every day. Weather conditions also shifts and may put the foundation of your home at risk. It’s important to understand how you can identify the signs that your home already needs foundation repair. Here are the five common signs to consider when a foundation already needs repair:

1. Uneven floors.

Uneven floors may indicate a structural problem in your home. Inside a house with foundation issues, you might notice that the floor appears to sag in some areas. But there are more serious issues indicated by uneven floors. To check if the floors are uneven, you can put a measuring stick across your flooring.  


Sloping floors also strongly indicate that your foundation already needs repair. If it’s in one area only, the problem might be with the post supporting that area.


It’s also important to have an inspection outside your home. That way, you will see if your home maintains its original position or it appears to be sinking in a particular angle. These are signs that you need a foundation repair expert to fix it.

2. Noticeable cracks.

All cracks are not created equally. There are cracks that indicate minor structural problem while some cracks indicate major foundation issues. The sooner you fix the problem, the less money you’d likely have to spend for the repair.


If you look at your walls, molding, or floors, you may see cracks. Big cracks are obvious clues that your home foundation needs repair. If you ignore them, it will become a serious structural problem that may cost you a lot of money to repair.


Cracks that measure less than 1/4 inch are generally harmless, and you can easily seal them. On the other hand, larger cracks require immediate repairs. If you don’t repair the cracks, water may seep in and may cause more damage to your home.

3. Stubborn doors and windows.

If your doors are not closing like they used to before, it could be a sign that your foundation is settling. But for new houses, this could be due to poor construction and material.


If you can’t determine what’s causing your doors and windows to hardly close, you can contact a home repair service. Let them inspect your home to identify the cause of the problem. Structural problems that are addressed early helps you save money.

4. Separating walls.

Shifting in the foundation usually causes wallpapers to be creased. This is a typical sign of a structural problem. Another indication that you need a foundation repair is when you see nails in cracked circles pulled back from the drywall.


Facades and other wall structures are usually connected to the foundation of the house. If you see your facade moved at a slight angle from the foundation, it might be a sign that you need to fix your foundation.

5. Bowing walls.

It’s easy to spot bowing walls when you see your walls not in a straight position. Start inspecting the walls in your basement. If they appear bowed, a structural problem might be causing it such as soil expansion.


Wet soil expands and pushes against the foundation. And as it dries, the soil will pull away from your foundation. As a result, your walls become bowed and other structural areas are weakened. This is why it’s important to test the soil before building your home.


Check your foundation wall, in and out. The walls should appear straight both horizontally and vertically. Inspect your chimney as well. If it’s leaning on one side, you surely need a foundation repair service.

Foundation Repair Solutions

The most important thing for engineers and building professionals is to first evaluate the degree of damage. Tiled flooring is quite sensitive to shifting and foundation settling. Uneven floor is a good way to start assessing if there is a problem in your foundation.

An experienced foundation repair company can determine if your home needs to be repaired, re-leveled, or rebuilt. The important aspects to be considered in foundation repair are the damage to certain areas in the foundation, whether the foundation is stretched, and if the home has settled through tilting.

Professional engineers and home builders use foundation repair tools to properly address the problem. These tools include cylindrical pile segments, reinforcing steel, water jet, grout tub, a foundation repair jack, and other heavy equipment. A reliable foundation repair contractor should have all the necessary materials to fix the problem.

Choosing a Reputable Foundation Repair Service Provider

If you have identified a foundation problem in your home using the above mentioned signs, do not hesitate to contact a repair service. Let your professional home inspector start the repair by identifying the main causes of the problem. Home inspectors have the basic knowledge in fixing structural issues and they can accomplish the job on time.

Foundation repair services include a qualified engineer who has geotechnical expertise to make sure the project is done correctly. In addition, find a company that offers years of experience and training to get quality results. For the budget, it will depend on the extent of damage in your foundation. So, hiring the right professionals is important to meet your requirements and budget.

5 thoughts on “Signs That Foundation Repair Is Necessary”

  1. Thanks for these great tips on how to know when your home needs foundation repair. I never knew that weather conditions shifting could put the foundation of your home at risk. Over the past few years, it has been a lot rainier here than usual, so maybe I should find a foundation repair service to come take a look at my home.

    Reply
  2. You got me when you said that the foundation of your house needs immediate repairs if there are cracks on your walls, molding, or flooring that measure more than 1/4 inch. With that in mind, I’ll be sure to hire a foundation repair contractor as soon as possible. My husband and I were about to replace our wallpapers at home when we saw the cracks on our walls. They look like spreading because they occupy a big part of our wall. We want to ensure the safety of our family, so we’ll do all your tips.

    Reply
  3. It got my attention when you said that the foundation of your house obviously needs to be repaired if you see big cracks on your walls or flooring. With that in mind, I’ll be sure to hire a foundation repair contractor as soon as possible. My husband and I had to remove the wallpapers in the house because they were deteriorating. We saw that our walls are forming cracks which looked like spreading rapidly. We don’t want to put our safety at risk.

    Reply
  4. It got me when you pointed out that cracks that measure more than 1/4 inch should be immediately repaired to make sure that they won’t become a serious structural problem. With that in mind, I’ll make sure to hire a foundation repair contractor as soon as possible. We removed the wallpapers in our house when we found some cracks that can be really bothering. I don’t want the cracks to get worse and put our safety at risk.

    Reply
  5. You got me when you said that your house’s foundation needs to be repaired if there are big cracks at your walls, molding, or floors. With that in mind, I’ll be sure to hire a foundation repair contractor as soon as possible. We had to remove the wallpapers in our living room because they were deteriorating. That was the time when we discovered cracks on our walls. Thanks!

    Reply

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