Signs of Foundation Problems

Knowing whether you need foundation repair can be accomplished either on your own or with the professional assistance of a qualified foundation expert. A contractor who is highly experienced at spotting foundation problems can best determine whether foundation repair services are required—either immediately or soon in the future.

What are the various warning signs that a home is experiencing potentially serious foundation problems? It might surprise you to learn that what may appear to be a minor problem—like a hairline crack in a wall—can, on closer inspection, reveal itself to be a warning sign of something far more problematic. Foundation repair is commonly the only answer when the following problems are encountered:

• Wall cracks
• Floor cracks
• Bowing/bulging walls
• Uneven or sloping floors
• Crack in the exterior brick
• Gaps between the floor and wall

Not every crack means trouble. A hairline crack may simply be the byproduct of cement drying. But if you have noticed a crack growing, or appearing where one wasn’t there, you should have it inspected by a professional. If it is determined that the crack is a sign of foundation problems, it will need to be addressed to prevent further damage and allow repairs.

What Can Cause These Foundation Cracks?

Cracks in the foundation can happen for several reasons. But two of the most common causes are uneven settling of the house and hydrostatic pressure created by water in the soil. If your home is experiencing uneven settling, a crack or cracks may form in the foundation where the sinking is happening.

Hydrostatic pressure can create cracks in foundation walls as well as the floor. This happens when the water table rises to meet the foundation, placing stress on the walls and floor. While your foundation may hold out for a time, eventually that repeated stress can create cracks and potentially lead to groundwater intrusion.

Can I Prevent These Foundation Cracks From Happening?

There are ways for homeowners to protect their homes from foundation problems. It begins with taking measures to prevent as much water as possible from reaching the foundation, especially when it rains. Here are some tips on how to minimize the presence of water around your foundation…

• Check your grading. Your home’s surrounding land should be sloping away from the foundation. This will encourage surface water to run away from the foundation, and not towards it.
• Regularly clean and maintain your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters and damaged downspouts can lead to water leaking straight down into the soil next to the foundation.
• Keep your gardens away from the foundation. This will limit any garden hose water runoff from reaching your foundation.

Keeping water away from the foundation also reduces soil erosion, which can help prevent uneven home settlement. But while these measures can help reduce the presence of water around the foundation, it won’t be enough. If enough rain causes the water table to rise, you’ll need an interior basement waterproofing system to relocate that water and reduce hydrostatic pressure.

Seeing Signs of Foundation Problems? Don’t Wait, Call ’58!

Don’t ignore any signs of foundation problems in your home. These problems are the kind that get worse with time, which means more repair costs. If you find a crack in your walls or floor—even a small one—isn’t it better to have it looked at by a qualified foundation repair professional before it gets worse? ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been helping homeowners like you since 1958! From foundation repair to basement and crawlspace waterproofing, we use only quality products and honest methods to ensure the best outcomes for your home. Our foundation experts can help restore stability to your foundation, using our own products including our Carbon ’58 Wall Straps and ’58 Strong Helical Piers!

We have local offices located throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whether you live near Alexandria, VA, Spartanburg, SC, or Marietta, GA, you can count on us to be there for your foundation repair needs. Contact us today to schedule for a free inspection and to receive a detailed estimate! We’ll be happy to answer any questions and help restore your peace of mind!