5 Ways to Know if Your House Needs Foundation Repair

You can’t quite put your finger on it, but something about your house seems off. Maybe the walls are cracking or the floor looks uneven. Damage like this indicates that your home needs foundation repair.

Let’s look at five common problem signs so you know can stay on top of foundation damage and call a professional before it gets worse.

One of the most glaring signs of foundation damage is drywall cracks. These cracks show up when a foundation settles unevenly and puts stress on the wall frames throughout your home.

As the foundation moves, the rigid walls try to move with it, but they crack instead (because they aren’t flexible). Most often, drywall cracks occur at the corners of door and window frames, as these tend to be the weakest sections of indoor walls.

Doors and windows are supported by sturdy frames. When the foundation shifts, the frames may move with it, causing windows and doors to become misaligned.

As a result, doors may drag along the floor, and windows might open slowly and with resistance. In extreme cases, doors and windows might be stuck shut entirely.

Another major sign that your home needs foundation repair is uneven floors. Your floors rest directly on top of the foundation, which means if the foundation moves, so will the floors.

Uneven foundation settlement will cause the floors within your home to tilt, slant, or bulge. They might even separate from the floorboard. Not only does this look bad, but it’s also a safety hazard.

Nail pops are a subtle and often overlooked sign of foundation damage. When your foundation shifts, so too do the walls in your home.

Well, you probably know that behind the drywall is the wall frame itself—made up of wooden beams and metal nails holding them all together. These nails are under immense stress as the wall frame moves with the foundation.

With enough movement, they pop right out of the wood and through the drywall. Nail pops often look like small holes or bumps in the drywall, so watch out.

You’ll have to go outside for this one. The primary catalyst behind foundation damage is a specific type of issue known as “foundation settlement.”

Essentially, foundation settlement is when part (or all) of the foundation sinks into the ground. This can happen for several reasons including:

If you notice signs of foundation damage in your home, you need an expert. Alpha Foundations is proud to be Florida’s leading foundation repair company, serving homeowners throughout the state.

Want to learn more about our services or schedule a free inspection? Contact us today to get started and see why homeowners have trusted us since 2002. Let’s get your home back on stable ground together.