The foundation is among the essential structural elements of any building. This part of the building carries the entire structure’s weight while providing support to it. A solid foundation protects your home from water damage. What’s more, a good foundation insulates your home. Unfortunately, most people don’t give the foundation its much-deserved attention. Thus, they don’t repair minor problems, leading to costly repairs down the road. As a homeowner, you should be ken attention to possible house foundation issues. When you know what to keep an eye out for, you can prevent the occurrence of potential foundation issues or their worsening. Here are possible building foundation issues to be wary of before they develop or worsen.

Water Damage

Water or moisture damage can damage your building’s foundation and even devastate your pocketbooks. Luckily, you can prevent water damage from wreaking havoc on your building’s foundation if you spot it early. Some of the water damage signs can include staining, painted walls with a wrinkled look, distorted or warped look in certain sports. The ground can also expand and contract rapidly, leading to soil shifting during wet rains and dry spells. And this can cause moisture seepage into your building. Therefore, ensure proper drainage for your house to prevent water from damaging the foundation. Moisture presence in the building’s structure can weaken the supporting beams, joints, and walls. And this can lead to tremendous damage and costly repairs. 

Foundation Cracks 

Cracks are the most telltale signs of possible foundation issues. Hairline cracks may not be something to worry about or even take action. However, scrutinize cracks because this can help you avoid costly repairs. Your foundation can have cracks for various reasons. For instance, an older or a newly built house can settle, leading to cracks reflecting this movement. Small cracks might require a waterproofing paint coat to seal possible moisture seepage that could weaken the structure. However, take action if you notice stair-stepped cracks close to the masonry joints. That’s because they could lead to wall bulging, hinting at a moisture problem. If you see horizontal cracks, your foundation has a more severe issue, and you might need a new one. 

Dysfunctional Windows and Doors 

If your home’s windows and doors are gapped away from walls or can’t close and open the way they did, you are likely having foundation problems. Therefore, check how your windows and doors function every year to ensure they are functional. Some foundation issues can offset almost every part of your house. Shifting openings can indicate a more severe problem. 

Settling and Sinking

As a homeowner, you should ensure that the ground, landscaping, and soil around your house don’t allow the structure to sink and create an unstable and uneven foundation. When the foundation walls trap moisture, the unevenness and sinking can get worse. When differential movement occurs, the walls can also crack. Therefore, analyze the soil around the foundation if you experience this issue. 

Other issues to keep an eye out for may include:

• A damp crawl space
• Uneven floor
• Foundation separation from the wall
• Off-kilter chimney
• Mold infestation

When you monitor such issues, you can contact a foundation repair expert to prevent them from getting out of hand. 

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