Problems like inadequate drainage, expansive soil, and tree roots near your home can cause your foundation to sink. A sinking foundation is disastrous and needs to be addressed as soon as possible to prevent permanent structural damage. The best way to avoid foundation failure is to detect the problem early on and nip it in the bud, and that requires being familiar with the signs of a sinking foundation.
9 Signs Your Foundation is Sinking
Here are the nine most prominent signs of foundation sinking:
1. Interior or Exterior Walls Cracks
You might notice small hairline cracks appearing in the exterior or the interior walls of your home. These cracks are not too harmful as long as they do not grow. However, if you notice a larger hairline crack that keeps growing and getting worse, you should instantly call for foundation repair.
Drywall cracks are another indication of foundation damage. Cracks or crumbling are also a sign that the foundation is sinking and exerting pressure on the walls and overall structure of your home.
2. Bouncy or Uneven Floors
Uneven or bouncy floors are one of the tell-tale signs that your foundation is sinking. Structural breaches or moisture intrusion in your basement can cause a foundation to sink, which leads to an uneven floor. If you have any suspicions regarding the floor, take a small ball and place it on the floor. If the ball rolls in any direction, the floor is uneven, and if it stays in place, there is nothing wrong with your floor.
3. Leaning Chimney
Your home's chimney should stand straight! However, a sinking or settling foundation can cause it to bend or lean in any direction. A leaning chimney is dangerous as it presents safety hazards for homeowners.
4. Sticking Windows and Doors
Most often, sticky doors and windows are a sign of wear and aging homes. However, if the doors and windows are sticking or do not close, it is one of the signs of a sinking foundation. A sinking foundation can cause the door and window frames to misalign. As a result, the doors and windows become uneven and do not open or close properly. In addition, the frames start pulling away from the walls, creating gaps between the frames and the walls.
5. Plumbing Leaks
A sinking or moving foundation exerts extra pressure on the plumbing pipes, causing them to crack or even break. If you notice reduced water pressure in your pipes or hear gurgling sounds, your foundation might be sinking. In this situation, call a plumber to fix your pipes. Then, call a foundation repair team to detect the actual underlying cause of plumbing leaks in your home.
6. Floor Cracks
Just like cracks in the walls, cracks in the floors are also signs of a sinking foundation. Small cracks in concrete floors are normal and usually appear when the concrete cures within the first year of installation. However, larger cracks mostly appear due to a twisted or shifted foundation resulting from soil erosion. If you have a tile or concrete floor, check it periodically for cracks. If you see any cracks where the walls meet the floor or span the length of the floor, you should take immediate action.
7. Wet Basement
Is your foundation always damp or flooded with rainwater? It can be a sign of a foundation sinking. A sinking foundation leaves cracks and gaps in foundation walls that allow moisture to seep into your basement or crawl space. This leads to mold growth, which can cause wood rot, furniture damage, and other problems. If your basement is often wet, you should consult a basement waterproofing professional. They can detect a settling foundation early on and prevent severe damage.
8. Drainage Problems
Inadequate drainage is one of the main reasons behind foundation settling. It causes water to flow around your foundation, leading to sinking. Therefore, a well-designed and functional drainage system is essential for keeping your foundation dry.
If you notice water pooling or dripping into your basement following heavy rainfall, you should try to inspect, clean, and maintain your drainage system properly. Consider installing downspout extensions that channel the water away from your home without letting it accumulate around the foundation.
9. Warped Siding
The siding on your home's exterior walls can crack or warp due to aging or extreme weather conditions like excessive heat. However, warped siding can also be caused by the foundation sinking.
How Do You Fix a Sinking Foundation?
Now that you are familiar with the warning signs, the question is: can a sinking foundation be fixed? Thankfully, it is possible to fix a sinking foundation. However, foundation repair is not a DIY project, so you need to seek expert help. Foundation restoration companies can fix your sinking basement by using any of the professional techniques:
Push Piers
Push piers are steel piers installed underneath your foundation using hydraulic machinery until they reach stable soil. The weight of your foundation is transferred to the piers, stabilizing and restoring it to its original position.
Helical Piers
Helical piers are similar to push piers, but they are screwed into the ground instead of being "driven." Helical piers can be used in more situations than push piers since they require less space around the home.
Hire Foundation Repair Professionals
Cracks in walls, bouncy or cracked floors, warped siding, plumbing leaks, and a wet basement are the major signs of a sinking foundation in the surrounding area. If you notice any of these signs in your foundation, contact a professional foundation repair company. They possess all the tools, equipment, and expertise to detect the actual cause behind these warning signs and repair your foundation permanently.
