Foundation Problems?
Symptoms of Foundation Problems
auses of
Foundation Problems vary and present differently.
The ground, or soil, conditions, location of the structure, materials used
during construction, and weight of your home and its contents all have an
impact on your foundation.
If your home shows any of the following symptoms, we strongly recommend you contact us immediately for your free inspection by one of our experienced professionals.
 |
| Identifying Symptoms of Foundation Problems in your Home | |
| Exterior | |
| 1. | Blocks are a
common foundation construction material. They generally sit on a
footing to provide the level base to build up from. If the load on the
blocks is too high, or if they "settle" unevenly, they can crack
or show gaps between the grouting. Usually, this is an indicator that
other structural problems exist and need to be investigated further. Click
here to learn more about crack repair options.
|
| 2. | Homebuilders
often finish the exterior walls with solid or decorative brick. These
materials do not handle "movement" well. Some degree of "settling" is expected
in new homes. However, excessive cracks or cracking following a pattern
indicates that there are problems with your foundation. Click
here to learn more about crack repair options.
|
| 3. | If your home has a basement,
it is likely to have a poured concrete or masonry reinforced wall. A
properly constructed wall should be water proof and plumb. If you notice
cracks, seeping water, or earth (dirt) "seeping" through the
walls, something is wrong. If not addressed, erosion will continue to
eat away at your homes foundation and it will lead to much more expensive
repairs in the future and potential health risks caused by mold and insect
infestations. Click
here to learn more about basement foundation repair
options.
|
| 4. | Chimneys are usually
constructed with a brick or rock fascia (exterior). The mortar that holds these
materials together is very good when in compression (under pressure) but very
week when in tension (resisting pulling or twisting forces). The appearance of
a crack indicates your chimney is experiencing movement due
to foundation problems. Similarly, if your chimney "leans" away from your home or starts to show gaps where there previously weren't any, this is also an indication that foundation problems exist. Click here to learn more about leaning or crack chimney repair options.
|
| 5. | The ground immediately
surrounding your home should be well compacted, dry, and drain
properly. Indications that your home may have foundation problems is when notice standing water around the perimeter of your home, irregular locations of soft or wet dirt without an obvious cause, slope movement or cracking in the ground around your home. Even if you don't see other signs of foundation problems, it's worth getting a second opinion earlier rather than later. Click here to learn more about foundation damage repair options caused by water.
|
| Interior | |
| 6. | Uneven floors is a good
indicator that your home is experiencing a foundation problem. Things to look
for include warping of hard-wood, tiles lifting or cracking, bulging
or sagging sections, and uneven wear-marks on the carpet. Unfortunately, it's extremely difficult to see uneven floors until it becomes a big problem - especially when carpeted. If you suspect any problems, it's easy to get a second opinion. Click here to learn more about uneven floor repair options.
|
| 7. | Doors and windows are
excellent indicators of foundation problems. When your doors and windows were
installed, the contractor made sure they were plumb and operated
correctly. Any changes immediately effect their operation. If you notice that your doors swing open if not latched, show gaps at the top or bottom, scrape parts or all of your floor, the walls are cracked at the corners of the frame, or if it simple won't shut, you likely have some kind of foundation problem. Windows act similarly when you have foundation problem. They will start to stick, be hard to operate, and show cracks at the corners. Click here to learn more about unlevel doors and window repair options.
|
| 8. | Cracks in sheetrock are
never a good thing. Random cracks are not necessarily an indication of
foundation problems. But, when you notice cracks adjacent to doors and
windows, it's a strong indicator that you do have a foundation
problem. Click
here to learn more about cracked sheetrock repair options.
|
| 9. | Your walls were installed
with a small gap (1/2" to 3/4") between the bottom of the sheetrock
and the top of floor. Often, you don't see any gaps because a decorative
floorboard is commonly installed to hide this gap. But if you can see the
gap, it shouldn't be even across the entire length of the wall. Its easier to
check basement walls for gaps. Click
here to learn more about bowed wall repair options.
|
| 10. | The entire weight of your
house, its contents, and your family are sitting on the basement
walls. Bowing, sagging, or leaning basement walls is a sure sign that you have
a foundation problem. Act immediately to ensure the safety of your family and
to minimize the costs of your foundation repair project. Click
here to learn more about basement foundation repair
options.
|
| 11. | If your home was not
constructed with a basement, it is sitting on a concrete pad or
slab-on-grade. Cracks in floor slabs are a clear indication of foundation
problems. But they are also the most difficult to find because most homes have
some kind of decorative floor covering. Short of pulling up the carpet, hard
wood floor, or tile, there is no way to "see" these cracks. However, here are
some things you can check for. Do you constantly have bugs in your home when their shouldn't be. Especially odd bugs like earwigs, centipedes, slugs, or creepy-crawly's. Is there an "earthy" or dirt odor after heavy rainfall? Does your hardwood floor creek or have cracks? Does your tile get cracked easily or have cracks? Click here to learn more about cracked slab repair options.
|
| 12. | Water (moisture) is
the leading cause of foundation problems. The amount of moisture in the soil
underneath your home can cause the ground to shrink or expand. Normally, this
occurs evenly. But when it doesn't, it may lead to foundation problems. If you notice areas around your home that have standing water when other areas are dry, areas that are always moist, or areas that are regularly flooded, you should take proactive measures to prevent potential foundation problems. Click here to learn more about crack repair options.
|
Barrier Foundation Services of NC, LLC (Barrier Foundation Services) has the experience to properly identify and repair foundation problems. Our licensed and experienced staff have the tools to diagnose your home's specific soil conditions. We will take the time to investigate all the possible causes of the problem, not just the most common ones.
Barrier Foundation Services is proud of our 100% zero-failure rate (perfect installation and repair record). Barrier maintains this high level of success because we don't take shortcuts and we apply the right solution to the problem.
Your success is our success. Call us today at 704.817.4090 and experience the Barrier Foundation Service difference.
If you prefer, you can email us at info@BarrierFoundationServices.com