The average cost of foundation repair is $4,500. The cost of a full foundation replacement, on the other hand, can run anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000. This undoubtedly highlights the need for regular foundational monitoring and maintenance.
Of course, you can’t monitor a foundation properly if you’re not sure what to look for. That’s where this article comes in. Without further ado, here are 7 small signs of foundation damage.
1. There Are Cracks in Your Walls
Wall cracks form on a regular basis. Most of them come about due to the natural shifting of a house and are nothing to get worried over. Some of them, however, arise due to foundational deterioration.
See, when a foundation deteriorates, it causes parts of the house to become unbalanced. This causes the house to pull away from itself in certain areas, resulting in the above-mentioned cracks.
Now, how can you tell the difference between standard wall cracks and potentially disastrous cracks?
First, determine whether they’re horizontal or vertical. Horizontal cracks are usually caused by foundational deterioration whereas vertical cracks arent.
Then, take into account their length. If they’re shorter than 3 inches, they’re not a cause for concern. If they’re over 3 inches and growing longer by the day, they’re absolutely something to worry about.
Width is important as well. If they’re wider than 1/4 an inch, they’re undoubtedly a problem and need to be inspected by a foundation repair company.
Location can make a difference as well. For instance, cracks that are in proximity to the corners of door frames are often caused by foundational deterioration.
2. There Are Cracks in Your Ceiling
Ceiling cracks are often indicative of foundational deterioration as well. As with wall cracks, however, not all ceiling cracks are a cause for concern.
Generally speaking, it’s the long ceiling cracks that you have to look out for. If there’s a crack that extends across the entirety of one of your ceilings, it undoubtedly requires further inspection.
3. Your Doorways Are Separating from the Wall
Another sign that you’re dealing with foundation damage is that your doorways are separating from your walls. When this occurs, it’s generally the corners of the doorways that pull away first. Then, over time, the rest of the doorway’s body will pull away as well.
In many cases, this is accompanied by diagonal wall cracks at the doorway’s corners. If these exist, there’s no doubt: foundational damage is occurring and getting worse.
The second you see this start to happen, you’re strongly advised to call up a foundation repair company. They’ll assess the problem and determine whether or not your foundation requires repair. They’ll then facilitate said repair, increasing your foundation’s strength and providing it with decades of additional use.
4. Your Windows Are Separating from the Wall
It’s not just separating doorways that indicate foundational damage. Separating windows indicate the same. These, more or less, follow the same pattern.
They’ll first begin to separate at their corners. Diagonal cracks might even form in proximity to those corners. Then, the rest of the windows will follow.
5. Your Floors Are Dipping
One of the surest signs that your foundation is damaged is that your floors are dipping or sagging. This presents itself not only as small craters on the floor but as sloping and uneven floors as well.
This sign stands to reason, as the foundation lies just below the floor. If the foundation suffers damage in a certain area, the area of flooring just above it is bound to be affected in some way.
Note that, along with dipping floors, you might also have a squeaking floor. While squeaking is not always indicative of foundational damage, it is something that should catch your attention and lead to further inspection.
6. Your Foundation Is Moving Up
In cases where excess water flows around the foundation, the foundation might start to move up out of the soil. This is due to an accumulation of water underneath the foundation. The water accumulates to the extent that the foundation elevates.
This is sometimes caused by plumbing leaks. That said, it’s more typically caused by flooding, particularly in situations where the house is built at the bottom of a hill.
It’s something that requires instant attention, as allowing it to go untouched could result in catastrophic damage to the entire foundation. So, if you think that your foundation is rising, call up a residential foundation repairs company as soon as possible. They’ll take a look at your foundation and determine what needs to be done to fix it.
7. Your Foundation Is Going Down
The last sign of foundational damage is that your foundation is doing down, seemingly sinking into the soil. This generally occurs to only a portion of the foundation, leaving the home tilted and lopsided.
Now, what causes this to happen? In a word: erosion. Groundwater causes soil to slide away from the area around the foundation.
When it does this, it can’t support the foundation in the way that it once did. A sinking foundation is a result.
Just like a rising foundation, a sinking foundation requires immediate attention. The longer you let it go, the more damage that will be done. So, call up a foundation repair company and have them check it out as soon as possible.
Dealing With Foundation Damage in Lancaster, TX?
Does your home have a damaged foundation? Need foundation repair services in Lancaster, TX? If so, we here at Foundation and Concrete Services are the people to see.
Our team is well-versed in residential foundation repairs, having repaired foundation damage on countless homes throughout Lancaster and its surrounding areas. Regardless of your needs, we can assist you.
Contact us now to get started on fixing your foundation!
