Sinking, Sagging and Other Signs Your Home Has Serious Foundation Issues

David Deem
714-997-3486


By Anita Ginsburg

Your home's foundation must remain stable and secure because it literally supports the entire structure and all of its occupants. Luckily, most foundations, if built effectively, can last decades.

Over time or due to major storm damage, though, a foundation may begin to show evidence of a damage. Here are four signs that your foundation may be in trouble:

Sinking

If you notice that your floor seems to be uneven, or if it has sunk lower than before, a serious problem may be developing in the foundation. As ground settles due to factors like soil erosion, weather elements and moisture drainage, a home's foundation may be impacted to the point of sinking deeper in places. Over time, this can cause major damage to the foundation, which will then cause a domino effect that could impact the home's entire structure. Contact a foundation repair expert for a professional assessment.

Sagging

Sagging may be due to ground conditions or a breakdown in the foundation's building material. Severe sagging may lead to a partial foundation collapse if left unaddressed. When a home's walls or floors can be seen starting to sag, contact a contractor who works with foundation structures and materials for an evaluation. If caught early, the problem could possibly be repaired at a reasonable cost without extensive excavation or rebuilding.

Leaning

If one or more basement walls begin to lean, whether over time or suddenly, do NOT ignore the issue. Contact a foundation expert to diagnose the problem and recommend a suitable repair. Although the leaning may be minor and may stop after initial movement, you don't want to take a chance by ignoring it. Letting the problem go could lead to a more abrupt shift in the foundational structure that will cause major damage and cost significantly more to repair.

Leaking

Your home's foundation may develop leaks due to external moisture from rain and melting ice or snow. Over time, outside moisture that slopes toward the foundation can exert gentle, but continual, pressure that'll begin to erode the foundation's structure. If you notice tiny moisture streams between the foundation blocks or small pools of moisture on your basement's floor, get in touch with an expert who can identify the source of the problem.

Your home's foundation needs to remain stable in order to support your entire home. Take action when you spot even minor problems to find out what's going on and to address any problems that may be developing.

DRE#01266522


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Orange County Housing Summary: April 4, 2023

Orange County Housing Summary: April 18, 2023

Orange County Housing Summary: June 27, 2023