Have you got a literal “sinking” feeling about your home? Foundation damage may be the culprit. Left undealt with, it can create a cascade of structural issues that lower your property’s value and make you less in love with your home. A damaged slab should be addressed—and the sooner the better.
The key is to spot the issue early on. Here’s what you need to know about the most serious warning signs you have foundation problems.
7 Ways to Spot Severe Foundation Issues
Want to act on foundation issues quickly? Start by staying on top of these 7 major warning signs you need your concrete slab set back into place.
1. Large Cracks on Exterior Walls
Your home’s exterior certainly endures a lot of wear and tear. But when your foundation is the culprit, it causes telltale signs of exterior damage. Take a closer look for:
- Lengthy horizontal cracks along the outside of your home
- Breaks in siding or brick that follow a stairstep pattern up exterior walls
- Large cracks that are more than a quarter-inch wide
These warning signs often mean your foundation has shifted. An expert assessment will reveal if that movement requires repair to secure your home.
2. Damaged Drywall
The flooring in your home supports the walls. As the foundation moves, it causes a cascade of damage to what it’s supporting—including walls. These clues tell you to have your concrete slab inspected:
- Diagonal cracks crawling up interior walls from the corners of doors and windows
- Increasing number of cracks appearing
- Cracks that grow larger or longer over time
- Walls that are bowed or sagging
- Nails popping out of drywall
3. Sagging Floors and Ceilings
When your foundation isn’t providing sufficient support, floors and ceilings will also fail to be fully supportive. Instead of being level, these areas will get off-kilter. What you’ll notice:
- Flooring that sags, warps, or bounces when you walk on it
- Concrete floors are cracked
- One area of the floor is higher than the other (unlevel)
- Ceilings are warped or bowed
While these issues may seem merely annoying, they also pose trip hazards. If the cause is your concrete slab, the structural damage will only grow worse the longer you put off fixing it.
4. Windows and Doors that Don’t Work Right
Windows should fit snugly into exterior walls, but if your foundation has shifted, it weakens the tight fit your windows are meant to have. A similar problem happens with doors, which also should have a snug fit. Signs you’ll notice include:
- Doors that hang unevenly and don’t work properly
- Windows that get stuck instead of smooth operation
- Locks of doors and windows have become misaligned
- Visible gaps around doors and windows
- An influx of pests because the gaps allow them inside
5. Counters and Cabinets Pulling Away from the Wall
Fixtures like these are normally attached firmly in place, so if they have moved out of position, are loose, or are detached, this is a sure sign that your foundation has shifted too much.
6. Chimney that’s Cracked or Leaning
Like counters and cabinets, your chimney should be a sturdy, fixed feature of your home. If it’s breaking apart or tilted, the reason is probably a damaged concrete slab that’s putting pressure on your chimney. Look for:
- Breaks and cracks in the brick
- Gaps between the chimney and your home’s exterior wall
- Your chimney cleaner has noticed damage inside the chimney
7. Drainage and Soil Issues
As foundation damage grows, it affects your landscaping. Soil moves too much, and moisture doesn’t flow safely away. And this lingering moisture can do even more damage to your foundation if left unchecked.
Keep an eye out for:
- Soil that has pulled away from exterior walls, leaving gaps
- Landscaping and lawns that don’t drain well or have standing water
- Mold and mildew in basements, crawl spaces, and around your home
- Plumbing issues—because foundation problems can push pipes out of place
Get Peace of Mind about Your Home’s Foundation with Edens Structural Solutions
Worried about your foundation and looking for solutions from a team you can trust? At Edens Structural Solutions, we do only what’s necessary for your home. If you don’t need our services, we’ll tell you—and if you do, we’ll do the job right and be here afterward to handle any questions. Check out our latest 5-star reviews to discover why Tulsa area homeowners recommend us to friends and family.
