You’ve heard those dreaded words, “foundation problems” before and maybe even listened to a frazzled coworker talk about all the work it’s going to take to fix their home. But you have yet to experience it for yourself with your own property.
“It was like my house was slowly crumbling before my eyes,” your coworker said. “I wish I did something sooner.”
Stories from people who have had foundation problems spiral out of control will raise the hairs on the back of any homeowner’s neck, especially if you don’t know all the warning signs. Sure, you’ve noticed a few small cracks here and there, but are they really that big of a deal? The answer could be a resounding YES.
The warning signs of foundation issues can range from the benign to damage you’ve never dreamed of. It’s always a safe bet to call in a reliable, experienced foundation repair expert like RS Foundations to know for sure.
In the meantime, below are 6 telltale warning signs that your home has foundation problems:
Doors and windows not opening properly
Doors and windows warp over time due to moisture and can be annoying to live with until they are replaced. However, if you have a door that is extremely difficult to open or latch, swings open after you’ve shut it, or you have windows that have gaps at the top or bottom and also feel like they will never open again, this is a sign that you may have settling or sinking issues beneath your home. You may also notice hairline fissures in the walls.
Interior and exterior cracks
Interior and exterior cracks could be a sign of minor settling, but it could also be a sign of foundation problems. If you notice large, zig-zagging cracks anywhere on your interior sheetrock, especially where the wall and ceiling meet, or on the exterior walls or brick of your home, they will only get worse over time and lead to more expensive foundation repair.
Uneven or cracked flooring
Have you ever stepped inside a home or commercial building and felt like you were walking on a decline or incline in certain areas of the property? This is caused by settling and shifting of the foundation under the floors. If you have a concrete slab floor, you will notice long cracks that many times span the width of the floor.
Tile cracks
To piggyback off the previous warning sign on this list, an abundance of cracks in any tile you have in the bathroom, kitchen, etc. are also telltale signs of foundation problems, especially if the tile has been replaced in recent years and would have no reason to be brittle or defective.
Nail pops in drywall
Nail pops are small, cracked circles where a nail has literally worked its way through the drywall. Seeing a few nails pop out, maybe inside a closet or pantry, isn’t usually a major cause for concern. In fact, nearly every home as nail pops. But if you’re beginning to notice them all over the house, especially in high-traffic areas, you may have a foundation problem.
Rotten wood
Rotten wood is never a good sign, and it could mean anything from leaks, termites, excess humidity in the home or business, and yes, even foundation problems.
Why do we have foundation issues?
It’s easy to point the finger at the builder, but foundation problems are usually not their fault. Foundation settling and shifting can be caused by building a structure on expanding or contracting soil, improperly compacted fill soils, or from poor or erroneous maintenance of the earth around the foundation.
Expansive soils, in particular, are everywhere in North Texas and essentially acts as a sponge (dry out and shrink during the summer and absorb water and swell in the winter and spring). As the soil under the house shrinks and swells, the house and foundation will move up and down. As long as the foundation movement is not great enough to damage the house or foundation, most people don’t see it as a foundation repair problem. But most of the time, they are not so lucky.
Call RS Foundations today!
RS Foundations in Lewisville, Texas has been providing state-of-the-art residential and commercial foundation repair on existing slab and pier & beam foundations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for more than 30 years. We specialize in steel and concrete pressed piers to stabilize your foundation and ensure your home or business remains in tip-top shape for years down the road.
When it comes to any of the warning signs listed above, you deserve to have an expert in your corner who can give you real advice and spring into action when you need it most. We are the go-to resource for homeowners, business owners, property managers, realtors, and investors. Our mission is to provide our clients with affordable and reliable options for foundation repair with personal service and up-front pricing.
Thanks for reading!