1. When Cracks Are Appearing in Your Walls, Floors, or Ceilings
Have you ever seen a crack in the wall and wondered if it is just cosmetic? A few hairline cracks here and there are likely nothing to worry about, but wide cracks across various walls can indicate problems.
Gaps in the flooring or multiple fissures in the ceiling are further red flags. These cracks on walls, floors, and ceilings usually appear when the soil supporting the existing foundations begins to shift or shrink.
The soil supporting the existing foundation could also erode. Poor overall soil conditions can lead to foundation settlement. A gradual sinking of your home’s existing foundation can stress the entire structure.
Ask yourself what these cracks are trying to tell you:
- Are there vertical cracks indicating initial settlement?
- Are the cracks diagonal, indicating foundation failure?
- Do the cracks on walls, floors, or ceilings look wide, like more than 1/4 inch?
Weak foundations threaten a home’s structural integrity. Call an expert, such as a licensed structural engineer, to check if concrete slab underpinning or some other solution is necessary.
2. When Wallpaper Is Creasing Without Any Signs of Damp or Mould
People usually miss this sign because they may not look closely enough. This one is truly sneaky! The cracks on the walls may not be visible, but the wallpaper seems to be wrinkling a little too much, irrespective of how old it is. This might indicate foundation problems. If your home’s concrete footings are impacted, it can disturb wall alignment.
Your first thought might be that the wallpaper is peeling or its glue has become ineffective, and these are valid. But if you find these aren’t the problem upon examination, don’t stop there; investigate further. Also, repeated wallpaper issues in the same spot should not be ignored.
3. When Floors Are Starting to Sink or Shift
Have you ever felt like you were going up and down while walking in your bedroom, living room, or kitchen? This indicates uneven or sloping flooring. It is among the most common and sure signs of foundation settlement. Because the existing foundation might not be distributing weight properly anymore, some parts of the floor become sunken or seem to rise suddenly.
If the floor of your California home feels bouncy, consider calling a concrete contractor in Los Angeles for a concrete underpinning consultation. Professionals can check the soil conditions and stabilize your home’s foundation.
4. When Doors and Windows Are Jamming or Not Closing Properly
Now, this is a frustrating one. If your doors and windows get jammed or do not close properly, and the hardware doesn’t seem to be the problem, you know where to look. Right? Your doors and windows are telling you that this is a foundation failure.
Look for the following signs:
- Doors scrape the floors or drag at the top
- Gaps are visible in window frames
- Cracks can be seen near doors and windows
If the foundation repair is overdue, frames can become misaligned. To address foundation problems, a complete underpinning process might be needed, but it’s best to consult industry experts.
5. When the House Appears to Be Leaning
A leaning house sounds great in children’s stories. But when it happens in real life, it’s not so good. The tilt may be slight or more pronounced depending on the soil conditions below the ground. However, a visibly leaning building calls for immediate attention.
This indicates that the concrete footings can no longer support the building. Weak foundations, bad plumbing, or poor drainage are some causes. Delaying action at this stage is ill-advised. When building foundations fail, you must take prompt action.
6. When the Extension Is Separating From the Main House
An extension to your home is a valuable addition to your property. But if it starts to separate from the main house, a visible gap can be created between the two structures. This is not only unsafe but also impacts the aesthetics of your property.
This is usually caused by varying soil conditions, where the soil supporting existing foundations settles differently from the soil supporting the new foundation. In such cases, a good thing is that only the extension might need foundation underpinning, but the entire property is thoroughly inspected. Now, this may seem like an unnecessary expense. However, trust us, it isn’t. Such inspections are always beneficial because they can reveal potential problems before it’s too late.
If you have built an extension to your home in the LA area, contact experts for foundation underpinning in Los Angeles to correct any issues.
7. When There Is Water Intrusion or Poor Drainage
Water is essential to households, no doubt about that. But it is a silent enemy of homes. If you notice puddles of water near your home’s foundation or excessive water in your basement, it could indicate problems due to water intrusion or poor drainage.
Water intrusion changes soil conditions and can weaken concrete footings. If the foundation failure was gradual initially, water will likely accelerate it. Proper drainage is an excellent way to control this, but persistent problems might mean your home’s foundation is likely already impacted.
Why It’s Important to Act & Seek Professional Help
Your home’s safety relies heavily on how strong its foundation is. If you suspect problems with your home’s foundation, the first thing to do is not to panic, but call well-known professionals. Do not wait long after noticing problems because the complexity and the expenditure might increase the longer you wait.
Another key reason (apart from safety) to seek professional help is that foundation issues can drastically lower your property’s resale value. If you ever plan to sell, home inspectors can easily detect foundation problems during home inspections. If they include them in their report, buyers might walk away from the deal or ask for steep discounts that can impact your finances.
Foundation repair can effectively solve many problems. Foundation failure can be corrected with expert support using techniques like mass concrete underpinning or concrete slab underpinning.
Conclusion
Your home shelters you and is a place for memories; it’s where your life unfolds. It represents everything you’ve worked hard to build. When the foundation starts to shift, take action with a calm but steady approach. Don’t think about soil and concrete; that’s a job for structural engineers. Consider only your peace of mind when approaching a reputable foundation repair company.
Experts can advise on what foundation underpinning technique will work best for your situation. Asking professionals to inspect the foundation can reduce stress and save you thousands of dollars. Schedule a visit with an expert for a detailed assessment of your home’s foundation. After all, ensuring the structural integrity is always worth it.
