Damage to a house’s foundation can be very difficult to fix, and can be a sign of significant structural damage. Because of this, it is crucial to detect foundation problems early and solve them quickly. Here are some tips on monitoring your home for foundation damage.

Walk through your house and look for clues that could indicate movement in your foundation. Are your door and window frames no longer at right angles, making them difficult to open and close? Are your floors sloping? Do you see nails working their way out of your sheetrock walls, or are there new wall cracks appearing? Do you have a leaking roof, even though your roofing material is new?

Examine the foundation itself for cracks, which can offer clues about the source of the damage. Pay especially close attention to cracks that look like they have been repaired several times by previous homeowners, as this could signal persistent problems in your foundation. Vertical cracks are often caused by the basement settling unevenly, and if a wall crack continues along the floor, it could be related to the concrete footing below your basement. Also watch for areas of your foundation that have shifted downward, pulling away from your house’s frame, as this also points to footing problems.

In poured concrete foundations, small shrinkage cracks can take place naturally, since concrete shrinks when it initially sets. They can be vertical or random in shape, and tiny ones are often less serious in nature. However, horizontal cracks in any type of foundation should be taken seriously. They can point to significant outside pressure being exerted on your basement wall.

In cement block foundations, watch for signs of damage to the exterior walls’ bond courses, which are solid mortar-filled cavities containing rebar. They help to support the wall, so if you see signs of damage to them, get a professional to assess the situation immediately.

Stone foundations are different, in the sense that damage does not typically occur to the stones themselves, but rather the wall can become cracked or bulge inward from outside pressure. Damage can also result when stones are removed from the wall to create openings for windows, doors, or pipes.

Brick foundations are relatively uncommon, but if you have one, or have brick walls, check them for loose or damaged bricks. Also, check the strength of the mortar. Poke at it – is it still holding well? Keep in mind that gaps or cracks in brick walls provide space for water to get into your wall, further weakening it, especially when the water freezes and expands. Cracks in brick walls are often due to building movement or insufficient support. Treat cracks in brick walls as very serious, and have an expert inspect them right away, especially if the wall has become bulged.

Inspect the foundations of other structures on your property, such as a detached garage. In stand-alone garages, the horizontal cement slab will often settle from the combination of its own weight, along with that of the vehicles on top of it. This places downward pressure on the dirt below the slab, which then pushes outward on the garage foundation walls. Look for horizontal cracks in the foundation walls as a sign of damage caused by settling

If you find any signs of damage to your foundation, have an expert diagnose its extent and repair it as quickly as possible. In addition to addressing potential structural problems, be sure to repair any cracks that might allow water into your house.

Nick Domino is a partner at Water Damage Defense, an online store specializing in dependable water damage prevention equipment, including water leak detection and shutoff systems, backup and primary sump pumps, and modern alternative sandbags.

Nick Domino is a partner at http://www.waterdamagedefense.com/, an online store specializing in dependable water damage prevention equipment, including water leak detection and shutoff systems, backup and primary sump pumps, and modern sandbags http://www.waterdamagedefense.com/category/alternative-sandbags/

Author Bio: Nick Domino is a partner at Water Damage Defense, an online store specializing in dependable water damage prevention equipment, including water leak detection and shutoff systems, backup and primary sump pumps, and modern alternative sandbags.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: foundation damage,basement flooding