Signs of Foundation Settlement - Inside & Outside

There are several signs and symptoms that indicate your home may be experiencing foundation settlement. These signs can be found both inside and outside your home. Don't dismiss them! Let's go over the most prevalent signs and symptoms. Have you come across any of these?

 

Signs Outside Your Home

Stair-Step Cracking

A common indication of foundation settlement is stair-step cracking in brick or block walls. Vertical cracks may widen as your property continues to settle further. This indicates that the wall is rotating.

Look out for cracks filled with grout. Homeowners often fill up growing stair-step cracks with grout as a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) repair. Without dealing with settlement, the cause of the issue, the cracks will continue to grow. If you see new grout in cracks around the home, it could be masking a much deeper issue with the foundation.

Separating Chimneys

A chimney separating from the rest of the house is one of the scariest and most alarming symptoms of settlement. Brick chimneys are very heavy, and they are sometimes built on a separate foundation from the house, increasing the likelihood that they will settle.

Problem Doors and Windows

The weakest part of the wall is where there’s an opening, such as a door or window. As a result, these locations frequently show early signs of a problem. The following are four of the most common outdoor symptoms of settlement visible in doors and windows:

Doors and windows out of square. This can cause the door or windows to become stuck easily. It can also make a door rub against the door frame or fail to latch properly.

Cracks extending from the corners of doors or window frames. Sometimes you'll hear that "little cracks are natural when the home settles," but large cracks begin as small cracks.

Doors and windows separating. If you notice doors and windows pulling away from the frame or outside finish, call a professional to take a look.

New caulking around doors and windows. Caulking is frequently used by homeowners to fill gaps formed by separating windows or doors. The new caulking could be masking a much deeper issue.

 

Signs Inside Your Home

Drywall Cracks

Cracks in the drywall throughout the house are a good indicator of settlement and may be more obvious in the uppermost levels. The same concept mentioned about the outside of your house also applies to the inside: large cracks begin as small ones.

The following signs are common:

• Drywall cracks that extend outward from the corners of doors and windows
• Cracks that follow drywall seams
• Buckling, pulling, or ripping drywall tape

Problem Doors and Windows

It's critical to keep an eye on what's going on around your doors and windows. They can reveal information about what is going on with your home's foundation.

Ask yourself this:

• Do any of my doors or windows ‘stick’ when I try to open or close them?
• Have I planed or shaved down the top of a door to make it easier to open and close? Is there evidence that a former homeowner did this?
• Have I relocated or replaced door locking or latching devices to ensure proper operation? Is there evidence that a former homeowner did this?

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms on the interior or exterior of your home, you may want to have your foundation inspected. At Lowcountry Foundation Repair, we do free inspections of the home. During an inspection, one of our system design specialists comes out and fully evaluates the issues the home is having, providing free quotes customized based on the needs of the home & main concerns of the homeowner.

Schedule a free estimate today!