Your home is probably going to be the biggest investment you make in your lifetime. That’s why you want to do everything within your power to make sure it is in good condition and stays in good condition as long as possible.
When it comes to your home, there’s probably nothing as important to keep in tip top shape than your foundation. Your home’s entire structural integrity depends on how strong your foundation is. From walls and windows to floors and doorways, your foundation supports your entire home, and a damaged foundation can lead to serious and expensive issues that will lower the value and overall health of your home.
The problem is, though, that no matter what kind of foundation your home has, it’s subject to environmental stress. When exposed over time, foundations can shift, crack, or settle unevenly.
That’s why knowing the signs of foundation problems can help you catch them early so that they can be repaired before the little problems become major issues.
Signs of Foundation Issues
To protect the structural integrity of your home, look for the following issues that you may notice with your roof:
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Cracks in Walls
If you notice cracks that run diagonally from door frames in your home, you need to have your foundation inspected. When soil around your foundation expands or contracts or you experience inclement weather, your foundation can be affected. Cracks in your interior walls are a sign that your foundation has shifted and needs to be inspected. Cracks from this kind of shifting can also happen in the floor.
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Doors That Stick or Won’t Latch
When your doors begin to stick in their frames or won’t properly latch when closing, you should have your foundation looked at. Shifting foundation can affect the alignment of your door frames, making your doors either difficult to open or difficult to latch closed.
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A Musty Smelling Basement
While we might always associate basements with a musty smell, it’s actually a sign of foundation issues that you shouldn’t ignore. A musty smell is produced by mildew, and the presence of mildew indicates that your basement walls are leaking. While the smell could be plumbing-related, it’s important to rule that out since it could also be caused by outside moisture coming in through cracks in the foundation.
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A Cracked Chimney
If your home has a chimney that looks a little off-kilter, there’s a chance your foundation has shifted and destabilized the chimney. This kind of damage can cause the chimney to crack or crumble entirely, putting your loved ones and neighbors on the ground in danger.
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Sagging Floors
The shifting of your foundation or excessive soil movement around your foundation could cause your floors inside to bow or sag. While this characteristic may seem charming in older homes, it is actually a big sign that there are foundation issues that need to be addressed.
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Gaps
If you notice gaps between your home’s facade and your front door and windows, it’s an indication that the shifting foundation is pulling them apart. You may also notice gaps in between the wall and doors and windows in the interior of your home.
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Nails Popping Out of Drywall
If you notice nails that are detaching from the sheetrock and popping out of the drywall, it might seem like an easy fix. However, it’s actually a sign of an underlying issue. This could be happening because of wall movement — a sure sign that you have an issue with your foundation.
Foundation issues can be stressful, but if you know exactly what to keep an eye out for in your home, you’ll know right away what problems need to be fixed before they become major and expensive issues. The professionals at Dependable Home Services can help you go from issues to peace of mind in no time at all with our foundation repair services.
If you think your home is experiencing foundation problems, don’t hesitate to call us today for a free quote to discuss what your options are to get them fixed right away.