Need Foundation Repairs?

Do You Need Slab Foundation Repairs?

Have you asked yourself “Do I Need Foundation Repairs”?

Found yourself wondering “Do I need foundation repairs” and wondered if you have sinking concrete / cement slab foundation problems? Does it seem that your foundation may be buckled? How can you tell? Common sense is your best guide. Look for the signs for foundation problems. If your home does not feel right, or if you are seeing damage, you may need foundation repairs.

If you home feels fine and you have no visible damage, then it is very likely that your home is fine. So, what signs should you look for? Here is a simple check list that you can use to make a preliminary assessment.

It can be difficult for homeowners to recognize the early signs of movement.

How do you know you may need foundation repairs? Look for these common signs:

Interior Doors & Exterior Doors

Look at the interior doors in your home. Is there an uneven gap when the door is closed? Does the door rub or bind against the frame or at the floor? Have your foundation inspected before making significant adjustments or before replacing doors for improper operation. Misaligned or improper door operation is a common sign that foundation repair may be needed.

The same goes for exterior doors that stick closed or are hard to open. If a door is sticking closed because the top or the bottom of the door hits the door frame or the floor, it is possible that your floors are sloping, you may have a foundation problem.

Window Operation & Gaps At Windows

Are some windows difficult to open? Are there wide gaps around window frames? Look for wide separation at caulking around the exterior of windows. Foundation repair may be needed if there are significant gaps at windows or if windows are difficult to open.

Uneven Floor or Sloping Floors

Do you feel upward or downward sloping when walking across the floor of your home? Most people notice a 1/2″ slope across a typical room. This may indicate a foundation problem that should be inspected for possible foundation repair. Uneven floors may mean an uneven foundation or a settling foundation.

Floors or counters are sloping. If you put a ball on the floor and it rolls off, you have slopes. Drops of an inch or so across a foundation are not a problem. Once slopes begin to exceed an inch of drop in 20 feet, they become noticeable and can become a problem. At this point, your foundation may fail inspection when you attempt to sell the home.

If you put a ball on the floor and it rolls away, you have slopes. A change of a half inch or so across an entire foundation are not a problem; more may be a concern. Once slopes begin to exceed an inch of change within 20 feet, they are out of tolerance and may fail inspection when you sell the home.

Cracking or separation of flooring material

Floor tile may crack with little foundation movement. Still, it is good to have your foundation inspected. Hairline cracks in tile grout alone is not a reliable indicator of foundation movement. More severe evidence may be separated tile or hard surface flooring.

Wall cracks, sheet rock cracks, or bowing walls, trim separation

Cracks in interior walls or ceilings is the most common indicator of foundation movement. Cracks often occur around windows, doors, and corners. Look for trim separation at corners. Have you seen a crack open during the dry season and close up again during wetter season. This indicated seasonal movement; which over time can cost a lot to repair.

Exterior caulking separation at windows or doors

An obvious sign of significant foundation movement are gaps on the exterior of your home where window and door frames meet brick, stone, or siding. Look for separated caulk and a wider gap at one end of the frame. Inspect the side frame at garage doors. Sagging or cracking above a garage door may or may not be a foundation issue.

Exterior brick separation or masonry cracks

Cracks in masonry, especially longer zig zag or straight brick cracks are common signs of foundation movement. If you have cracks in your masonry, brick, or siding, there is a good chance that your foundation is moving.

Sidewalks, Driveways, and Patios

We often receive calls for damaged sidewalks, driveways  and patios that are not attached to a home. These concrete surfaces generally are 3′ to 5″ thick with little reinforcement. They tend to move much easier than your homes foundation and require a different repair than what we typically provide. We can replace driveways, patios, and sidewalks as needed when we are repairing a homes foundation. However, we do not provide this as a stand alone service.

Water pooling around your foundation

The long term health of your home depends on constant, balanced soil moisture under your home. The greater the change (even in one area) the more likely you will experience foundation problems needing repair. Look for water pooling around your home after a heavy rain. Also watch for areas that remain soggy or muddy for extended periods after a rain.

Seasonal Movement

We inspect hundreds of homes each year in the early stages of damage due to seasonal foundation movement. These early signs often show less than one inch of seasonal movement.

Early detection and repair will likely save thousands of dollars in later repairs. Potential damage increases as seasons change from dry to wet and back again. And these costs increase far beyond simply lifting one corner of your home. When seasonal movement is ignored, future plumbing repair, adjustments, and cosmetic repairs can exceed the cost of foundation repair.

Additional Resources:
Our Precise Foundation Inspection
Foundation Settling
Foundation Heaving
Acceptable Foundation Deflection

These are the main signs of foundation movement. Whether your have a business or home, if you think your foundations have problem, call us and we will come give you a free foundation evaluation. Advanced Foundation Repair offers the most precise foundation inspection available.