![]() Is there a musty odor? A leaking basement or crawl space can reveal foundation cracks and a musty basement smell or crawl space odor is a red flag. To identify foundation problems, start in the basement or crawl space. Over time a damp basement will become humid and uncomfortable, inviting mold and allergens into the home. These areas leave the basement vulnerable to intrusive subsurface water and invite leaks and water problems. As pressure builds beneath the surface around the basement or crawl space, force is exerted on walls that lead to cracked and/or bowing walls. As signs of foundation problems begin to manifest they can often be found in all rooms of the home.įor basement and crawl space homes, poor drainage and hydrostatic pressure is often the #1 culprit. This change in volume can exert enough force on a building or other structure to cause serious damage. The process works like a sponge, the soil expands when wet and shrinks when it’s dry. Expansions of ten percent or more are not uncommon. The more water it absorbs the more its volume increases. As the soil absorbs water, it increases in volume. Expansive soils contain minerals that absorb water. Every building foundation is affected by the soil underneath and around it. Most foundation issues begin with the soil under and surrounding the home. However, sometimes signs of foundation problems are not immediately associated with foundation damage and go unnoticed by the untrained eye. Some signs are less subtle, for example, strange smells coming from the basement or uncomfortable indoor humidity can signal structural problems. Usually the signs are obvious – cracks in plaster walls, a basement wall crack that extends from floor to ceiling, doors that stick, sagging floors, pooling water near a slab foundation, or a wet crawl space after precipitation falls. This includes slab on grade foundations, basements, and crawl space homes like pier and beam foundations or block and base builds.Ĭlick on the numbers below to see different signs of foundation damage.įortunately, most of these problems are rarely invisible, but signs of foundation problems need to be recognized as early as possible to correct (and sometimes even prevent) problems quickly. And homeowners can often miss the early warning signs of foundation damage.įoundation problems can create several issues throughout the home regardless of the foundation type. Over time, environmental stress can cause the foundation to shift, crack or settle unevenly. Expanding and contracting soil, excessive moisture, and inadequate drainage are some of the most common threats to your home’s foundation. ![]() Like most things in life, your foundation is subject to environmental stress. It supports everything else – walls, windows, floors, doorways, roof – so when your foundation is damaged, it can cause serious problems throughout your home. Your home’s structural integrity depends on the strength of your foundation. ![]() Left untreated, minor cracks and leaks can turn into serious structural issues that compromise the value and overall health of your home. ![]() Here’s why – the longer you wait to treat visible signs of damage, the more severe the damage can become. Homeowners often wonder how to identify the different signs of foundation problems. ![]()
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