A professional inspection is the best way to know whether you have signs of home foundation problems. Many North Texas homeowners will notice certain tell-tale problem signs within their home before deciding to schedule a free in-home estimate. However, just so you’re not scheduling to have your home assessed every time you notice something unusual, below are common signs a home foundation may be in need of repair.
Inside the home:
- Cracks in interior walls. Check every room. Slowly scan each wall, paying particular attention to the joints where walls meet ceilings, doors or other walls. Look for places that these joints are pulling away from one another.
- Difficulty with windows. Raise and lower each window to ensure it operates smoothly. A stiff or sticking window may be an indication of trouble, as may cracks where the window meets the wall.
- Sticking doors. If a door has begun to stick, or if it looks like it is no longer hung properly, this may be a sign of a foundation problem.
Doors and windows can stick, swing open after being pushed shut, or have gaps around the top and bottom when your foundation is sinking.
- Cracks in the fireplace. Foundation stresses can create cracks between bricks and tile.
- Nail pops. While nails protruding from wallboard can occur under other circumstances, they can also be a sign of a shifting foundation.
Outside the home:
1. Diagonal cracks along mortar joints in the brick veneer. This shows shifting and stress are separating the brick from one another.
Small cracks may not be structural, but they could be a sign of future problems.
2. Small cracks may not be structural, but they could be a sign of future problems.
3. Standing water and other drainage problems. If water collects near the foundation, it could cause serious damage.
4. Separation around the garage door and other exterior doors. This can also allow for drafts and moisture into the home and higher electricity bills.
5. Roof leaks. If shingles and other roofing materials are in good condition, a roof leak could indicate a shift in the foundation. In addition, admission of water into the home could lead to warping, rotting and other water damage.
If any of these signs of home foundation problems are present in your home, call us immediately for your free in-home estimate. Once they begin, foundation problems do not go away on their own. In fact, if you wait before addressing these problems, they will grow more difficult and expensive to repair.