The Joy of Building

Foundation repair projects can be expensive. However, letting a home's foundation go will eventually cost far more than the price of repairs. Foundation experts will tell you to tackle the problem the moment you've identified something wrong. How can you tell, though, if it's time to call a home foundation company to schedule repairs?

Cracks

A crack can form anywhere in the house if the foundation has problems. For example, you might see a crack going the whole way up one of the interior walls in the home's living area because the stress is causing the drywall to break. The spaces around doorways and windows often have less structural strength than the rest of the walls. Consequently, you may see evidence of cracks appearing in these areas first.

Cracks can also form in the basement if your house has one. Typically, you'll see debris from the cracks end up on the basement floor.

You might also see the ceilings separate from the walls. Oftentimes, these stresses are most evident in the corners of the home's rooms so look there if you're worried.

Doors or Windows Sticking

As previously noted, the doors and windows tend to experience the first stresses that signal that you should call a foundation company. However, the stresses don't always generate cracks. Especially in humid regions, the wood or drywall may simply bow. The moisture often helps the materials bend without cracking.

The net effect of even a slight malformation is that the door or window will stick. Sticking happens because the door or window will no longer align with the deformed frame.

Tilted Floors

As the foundation settles, the floors will start to tilt. You can check by placing a marble at one end of the floor and just letting it go. Repeat the procedure in several spots. Eventually, you'll get a sense of which direction the floor's slope goes. Bear in mind that this technique works best on smooth floors.

You might also notice the floor's tilt whenever someone spills something. The fluid will flow in the direction of the slope.

Bowed Siding or Fascia

If your home has siding or fascia, the deformities may also cause those elements to warp. Depending on the stresses, the materials may bow in the opposite direction of the wall. If you see gaps under the siding or fascia, that may be a sign that you should ask about residential foundation repair options.