How To Know If Your Home Needs A Foundation Repair

Published On: March 11, 20217 Comments on How To Know If Your Home Needs A Foundation RepairCategories: General tipsTags: Last Updated: February 8, 20242.7 min read

The sound of needing repairs in your home foundation can be very intimidating. The overwhelming anxiety you feel when you don’t know what to look for or how will it be repaired and even more what the cost is going to be. Weakening home foundation signs don’t only appear on the ceilings and floors. They can also be checked on places like walls, door frames, and even your basement. Experts in Home foundation repairs in Houston who have a background in engineering suggest that even homeowners who are planning to buy a property should get a proper check done before investing.

crack in the foundation

They can pinpoint the exact issues for new homeowners as well as those who already own a home at where exactly the problem lies. Maybe an issue that you could think of as big would not really be so and vice versa something that looks small and not dangerous could end up getting worse with time.  Here are some signs to know if your foundation needs your attention.

Signs To Look For Inside the House

  • Cracks on the walls, ceilings, near door frames, and windows. If they are large, they should be checked by a professional soon.
  • If your windows and doors start to jam. Normal jams can be fixed with a quick WD-40. If that doesn’t solve the problem then it’s a sign that the foundation is unstable which can distort the frames. 
  • Check your basement posts to make sure they are straight and have not started to lean. Using a screwdriver to poke into the wood to see if it has started to rot is a good way to check. If the poke runs deep, that’s a sign that the wood has started to rot. 
  • In case you notice a musty smell in your basement, it could be due to mildew which appears if there’s any water leakage problem. 
  • Check for cracks on the concrete floor to see if it has come loose. 
repairing foundation on home

Signs To Look For Outside the House

  • Check the foundations of the walls from outside. They should stand straight with no bulges or leaning over and have no large cracks
  • Concrete chipping on the outside which is very prominent should be checked properly. 
  • Roof tiles falling could also be a sign of weakening foundation
  • Foundations sinking in. If you notice one side of your house to be sinking in as compared to the other, this could be a major sign of concern. Many factors like severe weather conditions could worsen it very fast.

If you see these signs, it is time for you to call in experts to guide you with it. Trying to fix larger problems yourself might just worsen it or further could cause an accident. Insurance companies do not support claims where the mistake was done by you. Though all small signs do not need you to rush to foundation repair experts, signs that are persistent and keep getting more prominent should be inspected carefully. A quick review from experts might not only bring you peace of mind but can help in avoiding catastrophic accidents.

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Leave A Comment

  1. Clare Martin February 17, 2024 at 2:25 am

    I appreciate you informing us that we should be wary of cracks found on the walls, ceiling, door frames, and windows of our building, especially if they are large since they can indicate issues with the foundation. I own a retail store in Miami, and while I was cleaning this morning, I noticed cracks on the walls that weren’t there before. I’ll have to call a contractor in Miami to hire for the commercial foundation repairs we need soon.

  2. Lily Bridgers February 9, 2024 at 6:24 am

    I appreciate you pointing out that the house’s concrete foundations shouldn’t have any bulges or fissures. I was concerned that there could have been damage to my basement’s foundation after a recent storm caused my house to flood. I believe it would be wise to have my house inspected so that, in the unlikely event that the foundation is broken, I can have it fixed.

  3. Klay January 18, 2024 at 6:34 am

    This article is a lifesaver for homeowners! The clear signs of foundation issues outlined here are a must-know. The practical advice on when to seek professional help versus DIY solutions is incredibly valuable. It’s reassuring to have a guide that helps identify potential problems before they escalate. Thanks for shedding light on such a critical aspect of home maintenance!

  4. Elle Jones January 17, 2024 at 5:32 pm

    That you went into further detail about how a house’s concrete foundation shouldn’t have any bulges or cracks is excellent. I was concerned that my basement’s foundation could have been harmed because my house recently flooded after a storm. To fix the foundation in the unlikely event that it sustains damage, I believe it would be a good idea to have my house inspected.

  5. Elle Jones November 3, 2023 at 11:02 am

    I like that you said that a house’s concrete foundation shouldn’t have any bulges or fissures. I was concerned that there might have been damage to my basement’s foundation after a recent storm caused my house to flood. I believe it would be wise to have my house inspected so that, in the unlikely event that the foundation is broken, I can have it fixed.

  6. Greta James November 2, 2021 at 3:24 am

    I appreciate that you mentioned that chipping concrete is a sign of a foundation needing repair. My home is 120 years old and I noticed that the foundation on the corner of the house is chipping. I should definitely contact a professional who can diagnose the problem and help repair it before it gets worse.

  7. Claire Masters June 7, 2021 at 11:17 am

    Thanks for mentioning that concrete foundations in the house should have no cracks or bulges. My house was recently flooded from a storm so I worried that the foundation in my basement might have been damaged. I think it might be good to have my house checked so I can have the foundation repaired just in case it was damaged.