3 Signs You Need A Foundation Inspection
Your home's foundation is quite literally the bedrock that supports the entire structure of your home. A damaged or broken foundation can thus pose a number of serious issues for your property and can cause severe damage to other parts of your home. Understanding some of the early warning signs associated with foundation issues can help you determine when you should get a professional to come in and inspect your foundation to determine the best course forward before the damage can grow worse and more complicated to fix.
1. Basement Moisture
One of the earliest warning signs of foundation issues that you may notice is excessive moisture in the basement or crawlspace. Moisture and water exposure can cause cracks to begin to form in your foundation, or can move the soil the supports the foundation, both of which can create an uneven surface that places stress on the rest of your home. Look out for signs of water damage, which can include mold growth and discoloration, warped wood, rusting metal, a musty smell, and even cracks appearing in exposed concrete and other materials.
2. Uneven Floors
A damaged or broken foundation can cause specific parts of your home to 'settle' or sink downwards, which can create an uneven surface. You may notice that specific areas of your home suddenly develop slants, which can manifest itself in a number of ways.
You may notice that things roll much more on your floors, or you may have trouble balancing normally. You can use a level to check the slant of your floors: significant slants and unevenness mean that you should get in touch with a professional contractor to take a look at your foundation and see what can be done.
3. Structural Damage
In a somewhat similar line of thinking to the above point, you should watch out for signs of structural damage throughout your home that can point to foundation shifting and damage, which is a more serious indication that you are overdue for an inspection. Uneven floors can cause issues everywhere: look out for doors and windows that won't open and close properly any longer, cracks in door and window frames, in your baseboards or crown moldings, and in your walls and ceiling. An inspection will be able to determine if the foundation is to blame, and what can be done to remedy the uneven surfaces and structural damage that is resulting.
Contact your local foundation repair services for more information and assistance.
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