Warning Signs Your Foundation is Cracking

In the years following their construction, many homes shift and settle in ways that pull their foundations out of alignment. Nevertheless, you should keep an eye out for particular signs of misalignment, including foundation cracks, “sticking” doors and windows, bowed walls, and sloped or sagging floors. Overlooking these indicators and their underlying issues can lead to increasingly dangerous problems. If you notice any of these signs, employ expert foundation repair contractors to protect your home.

 

NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair is a home service company that specializes in basement waterproofing, foundation repair, crawl space repair, and everything in between. We’ve waterproofed basements and shored up homes since 1986, building a solid reputation with our customers. Moreover, we’re committed to honesty, integrity, and excellent customer service. For more information, call our office at 1-703-690-3889 to receive a free estimate.

 

Below, we describe several warning signs that your foundation is cracking:

 

Interior & Exterior Cracks

The most obvious indicators of home foundation problems appear in the foundation walls themselves. Deteriorating concrete block foundation walls manifest a tell-tale “stair-step” cracking, and disintegrating poured concrete walls feature vertical cracks. Both materials may crack in the angle between foundation walls and ceilings. Depending on your foundation’s material, bricks may crack or protrude and tiles may fracture.

 

Both inside and outside your home proper, look for large cracks that could indicate an underlying problem. Keep an eye on small, fine cracks that may seem inconsequential but can grow. Many homeowners use caulk to fill in and cover up such gaps, but doing so amounts to sticking a band-aid on a major injury.

Errant Door & Window Frames

Drywall cracks around doors and windows are another common sign of foundation settlement. They often appear in seams or spread outward from the corners of door and window frames. Plus, frames may separate from walls and create cracks nearby.

 

Also, watch for doors or windows moving out of their original square. To test for shifts in position, try opening or closing doors and windows to see whether they stick.

Bowed Walls

One of the most serious indicators of foundation deterioration is bowing walls. In addition to horizontal and “stair-step” cracking at corners, concrete block foundation walls may push in—or “shear”—at their bottom and lean in at their top. For a poured concrete foundation, the signs of wall failure include diagonal cracking at the corners and leaning in at their top.

Uneven & Sagging Floors

Many homeowners consider uneven, soft, or “bouncy” flooring little more than a nuisance. However, this quality may signal a deep-set structural issue when it co-occurs with other warning signs, including:

 

• Sloped floors, leaving a gap between the flooring and trim
• Cracks in interior walls and gaps around door and window frames
• Doors and windows that stick
• A crawl space with gaps or shimming between columns and girders
• Moisture, wood rot, and deterioration in a crawl space

If you notice uneven or sagging floors in your home, call a professional for a close inspection. Ensure that your floors can support foot traffic, furniture, and other elements of daily life.

NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair: Your Professional Foundation Repair Contractors

The professional foundation repair contractors at NV Waterproofing possess the experience and equipment to detect diverse issues in home foundations. From cracked walls to errant window frames, our team can carry out a full inspection of your foundation’s symptoms and find the cause of the problem. We’ll also provide the best solution to solve the issue. For help repairing your home’s foundation, call our office today at 1-703-690-3889 and receive a free estimate.