How to Detect Foundation Problems in Your Home

Foundation trouble can cause serious damage to your entire home and may even put you and your family at risk. Knowing what signs to look for allows you to catch a damaged foundation before it becomes a hazard. Find out the most common signs of trouble so you can schedule foundation and wall repair in Minneapolis, MN, before it's too late.

Windows and Doors

As your foundation shifts or sinks, your whole house will shift as well. Although it may not be visible to the naked eye, you will still notice other signs. If you suddenly start to find that your doors and windows will not open or close easily, it may be a sign that your foundation is starting to give way.

Sloped Floors

If you have foundation damage, you may also notice that one or more of your floors are sloped. Most likely, this slope will not be obvious, and you won't notice a problem just by walking on it. However, you can find trouble spots with a simple test. Go through each room of your house and set a tennis ball down on your floor at different points in each room. If the tennis ball rolls away, your floor is sloped and you may have foundation damage.

Water Damage

Foundation damage and water damage are closely linked in many houses. Water damage can either be the cause or the result of damage to your foundation. Check your basement for water seeping through the walls or pools of standing water. Inspect the area outside your home to make sure water is not accumulating around your house. This is often caused by incorrectly sloped land or poor drainage, and is one of the most common causes of foundation damage.

You can also check for leaks inside your home by watching your water meter. See where the meter is set, and then wait several hours without using any water. Check the meter again to see if it has moved. If it has, you probably have one or more leaks hidden somewhere in your home, and they may be a sign of foundation damage as well as other problems.

Mold and Mildew

Even if you don't see visible leaks from foundation damage in your basement, they may still be present. Mold and mildew in your basement are signs of excess moisture, and are often a result of foundation damage. You may also notice a musty smell, even if you don't see large patches of mold and mildew. They can be present behind your walls and under your floor long before they are visible.

Visible Cracks

If your foundation damage is serious enough, you will start to notice cracks in your house. They often begin in the basement, and then work their way up your house. You will often notice them in the joints of your home where 2 walls come together. However, they can occur anywhere, in any type of building material. Cracks in your home indicate a serious problem, and you should seek professional help immediately.

Warped Walls

In addition to cracks, you may also notice that the walls of your basement have begun to warp or lean inward. This is often caused by a buildup of dirt or water on the outside of your foundation, which puts pressure on it and gradually pushes it inward. This is another sign of a serious problem and needs to be addressed immediately. Wall repair in Minneapolis, MN, will take different forms depending on the extent and cause of your damage. After repairing the damage, your contractor may be able to brace your wall against the pressure or prevent it from coming back altogether by providing better drainage around your home.

Source : articlesbase.com