Here, we highlight the remaining five common warning signs of foundation failure.
At first glance, a foundation problem may seem like an extreme problem. However, if you identify the damage before it becomes too advanced, most foundation issues have simple, permanent solutions — many of which can be completed within a day at an affordable price! The key is to recognize the problem early and make sure you call in a foundation repair specialist with the tools and expertise to effectively tackle the problem.
The floor over a crawl space can sink or sag due to improperly spaced or sinking supports, or mold and rot damage. When crawl spaces experience structural damage, the symptoms are evident through the entire house. Cracks form in drywall, floors sink, and interior doors jam.
Retaining walls crumble, tilt, or collapse for a variety of reasons. Most frequently, they fail when the foundation footing has been improperly designed or when a wall has to retain more weight than its design allows. Walls that have been built with weak, poorly mixed concrete or inadequate steel rebar can also collapse.
Concrete patios, sidewalks, driveways, roads, porches and stairs place a lot of weight on the soils below. When these soils compress under this pressure or are washed away, voids are formed underneath. Over time, the concrete sinks into these voids.
Tilting chimneys that are separating from the home are one of the most intimidating and dramatic signs of a settling foundation. Sometimes a chimney is built on a footing that is not connected to the house foundation. This smaller foundation is susceptible to shifting if it’s built on poor soil.
Stair-step cracking, most commonly found in brick and concrete block homes, is one of the surest signs of foundation settlement or expansive soils pressing on the foundation walls. Keep an eye out for vertical and diagonal cracks near windows and doorways.
Remember, if you are in need of foundation repair in Orlando and surrounds, you don’t have to solve them alone! We have a team of expert in-house foundation inspectors who are here to help you identify and solve your issues with warranted products and services. We provide free, no-obligation foundation repair quotes throughout our Florida and Georgia service area!
