Signs of a Shifting Foundation

It is often said that a building is only as sturdy as the foundation it rests upon, and really, this statement could not be more true. If your home has a foundation that is unstable, the structure built upon it will have all kinds of problems. In fact, most homeowners recognize a faulty foundation by the things that are changing inside the house, not by examining the foundation.

The faster you handle foundation problems, the less likely it will be that your home suffers major structural damage. Unfortunately, it is common for homeowners to blame these symptoms on other things entirely. Getting familiar with the common and sometimes-missed symptoms of a
shifting home foundation can be one of the smartest things you ever do as a homeowner in the Houston area.

Changes in the Floor Due to an Uneven Foundation

The floor is the closest to the foundation of the house, so it is only natural that this is often where the first symptoms emerge when the foundation has changed. There is a full list of things that can happen to the floor that you should pay careful attention to, including:

The floor has started to bow or sink
Solid structure floor covering, such as ceramic tile or concrete, is cracking
The floor no longer meets the baseboards
There is a change in the levelness of the floor

Changes in the floor are often associated with something like a house settling or even water damage, but these symptoms should never be overlooked or shrugged off. Regardless of the underlying cause, whether it is indeed foundational or something else, these changes can create problems for the rest of the home’s structure as the entire frame of your home rests upon the foundation.

Wall Damage Due to a Uneven Slab Foundation

Wall changes are to be expected when a foundation moves because the weight of the walls bears on the foundation. You may notice things like:

Cracks in the drywall
Walls that bow or slant inward
Moisture spots in sheetrock

Gaps between the tops of the walls and the ceiling or between the wall and door frames are also a telltale indicator that something has changed. You may not immediately catch a shift in the wall, but you may notice something small, such as a picture refusing to hang level or a door that refuses to close once in a while.

Other Often-Missed Symptoms of Foundation Trouble

Not all symptoms of foundation trouble are noticeable right away. In fact, some symptoms you may have to be looking for in order to find them. A change in the foundation can affect everything from the floor to the ceiling, including the components in between. This means that you should be looking for things like:

Suddenly leaking pipes or pipes that no longer align as they should
Windows and doors that do not open or close properly or get stuck closed
Hairline cracks that run around the corners of a room
Shifted HVAC ductwork
Drafts caused by shifted insulation

In extreme cases, a shift in the foundation can even affect things like your home’s wiring, because the distance between connected components can change and pull wires apart. All in all, if you suddenly start having problems with your home that were never an issue before, it is not a bad idea to have the foundation checked out by a professional.

Have Your Troubled Foundation Professionally Examined

With even the slightest inkling that your home’s foundation is in trouble, it is wise to have it professionally evaluated. Therefore, keeping tabs on the signs and symptoms could be the key to saving your home from drastic damage because you can get someone to your home as soon as you spot something off. Contact us at AAA Foundation Service to schedule a visit or to request a free foundation inspection.

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