How to spot a foundation problems

Cracks

The most glaring sign of a foundation problem is cracking in the foundation, walls and floors. This can be as a result of movement in the soil that causes the house to sink. Even if a crack appears to be small, it can indicate that there is a serious problem. This should be addressed as soon as possible.

Settling or Heaving 

You may notice that the house is settling or sinking on one side. This indicates a significant foundation problem that can result in safety issues. Ignoring even a small change will only allow the problem to get worse. 

Moisture in the crawl space 

You may notice excessive moisture, mold and mildew in your crawl space and may smell a musty odor inside the house. This problem can be addressed by improving the drainage system. 

Doors out of square and uneven floors

Very few homes are plumb after a few years of settling, but a door that is really out of square and has cracks in the wall above it should be looked at. Lots of owners of otherwise sound houses have such uneven floors that if they spill some water on the floor it rolls in one direction. A homeowner should be worried if the gradient of the floor is more than one or two inches every 15 feet.

Tile Cracks 

Though tiles fired at high temperatures are quite hard, they’re also brittle. Many things can cause tile cracks. If there are too many tile cracks in the kitchen, bathroom or wherever they are, this might be a sign of foundation trouble.

Nails pop out of the dry walls 

Though the sight of a few nails popping out of drywall may be harmless and easily fixed, if it is widespread a professional should be called in.