Home Foundation Problems – Time to consider Underpinning?
Underpinning is a good solution if your walls are cracked or you notice uneven floors look at this. These are not minor flaws, but jaw-dropping cracks you can actually stick your finger in. These signs shout “Hey, the foundation of your home needs some attention!” Let’s dive into the nitty gritty and diagnose these problems.
The first sign of a crack is a sagging roof. Not the small hairline cracks you get with settling, but rather large, frightening, wide ones. These cracks usually occur around your doorways, windows, and basement. You should act quickly if you see new gaps appearing where walls meet ceilings or floors.
There may be gaps around your windows and doors. When the foundation shifts it can cause the frame to rack and twist leaving gaps. You may have noticed that the doors on your house are refusing to shut properly. This could also be an early warning sign.
How is your floor? How about sloping, dipping and rising like a mini-roller coaster? You may be tripping in areas of your floor which were not that way before. This is because the foundation has been playing havoc.
Basement walls morphing into trapezoids Basement walls that are buckling or bowing is another red flag. Outside soil pressure is pressing against the walls. That’s not good.
Got a chimney? Have a look at it. If the structure is leaning worse than the Tower of Pisa you have a serious problem. Not only the house, but also detached structures can be affected by foundations. Ignoring tilting chimneys can lead to more problems than an unsightly eye sore.
It can start with small misalignments like windows or floors that aren’t closing properly. Your basement will look like a funhouse, with cracked walls. This is a structural issue that should make you consider seeking professional help.