Foundation Problems
Each year sinking foundations, cracked and buckled walls, and cracked and uneven floors affect millions of families. Buildings situated on unstable soils will settle when the foundation is subjected to moisture or poor drainage. A shifting foundation could result in structural damage and potentially, a loss of your investment.
Look inside your home for:
- Cracks in drywall on walls and ceiling
- Doors that stick
- Gaps between walls and ceilings
- Nails that are coming out of the drywalls
- Windows that are not square or are sticking
- Floors that are cracked or not level
- Gaps between walls and floors
Look outside your home for:
- Cracks in the masonry
- Gaps between bricks and windows
- Bricks leaning away from garage doors
- Gaps between fireplace and house
- Sagging roof line
- Doors that stick
One of the most common causes of foundation movement is the shrinking and swelling of expansive soils. The degree of soil movement is determined by the amount of expansive material, and the variation of its moisture content. During the spring, when the moisture content of expansive soil increases, the soil swells. During the drier months when the moisture decreases, the soil shrinks, allowing foundations to settle. During wet periods, foundations return to their desired elevation. Sometimes, the soil will swell enough to raise foundations higher than their desired elevation, which is referred to as upheaval.
Causes of foundation movement
- Drying of soils from the sun and weather conditions
- Evaporation
- Moisture loss from roots
- Shallow footings
- Broken or Cracked pipes
- Extremely wet soil
- Compressible soil
- Organic Layer
- Soils affected by water tables
- Earthquakes and tremors