How to Identify Foundation Damage
The damage to the foundation usually does not occur suddenly. It's a progressive process that is largely unseen. This does not, however, mean that the early warning signs are 100% invisible. You can find many of the red flags if you know what to look for. These signs are often not confined to the foundation. The symptoms can occur elsewhere in the house, including in the upper floors. Knowing them would help in following the on-time house foundation repair. Below is just a few ways of identifying the failure of the foundation until it is too late.
The Warning Signs
Water Damage
All water damage signs must be addressed in or around your home as soon as possible:
Foundation damage is both a cause and symptom of external water that is not drained properly. Watch out in the dry season for unusually wet land and parched soil after heavy raining.
Internally – check mold, red and any other signs behind the walls for possible leaks. You should also check for possible leaks in your plumbing system, toilets and taps.
Uneven Wall and Floor
Warped floors, crumbling bricks and splits on the wall are worrying signs that your base is already affected. Check in detail — inside and outside — from top to bottom.
Ill Fitting Doors and Windows
Have you windows not close the way they were closed anymore? Does the cold air enter your door front? Then it is not a settling house. It's shifting, because the foundation is compromised.
Saggy Floor or Ceilings
The warning signs of foundation issues may also be warped floors and ceilings. As the foundation of the building moves, it breaks down or compacts walls and beams. These shifting can lead to the weight of the house in some areas being unevenly reduced, leading to decreased floors and ceilings. A slanting floor is a sign of foundation problems. Use a level to monitor the slopes of your home occasionally. You can call a professional if you notice continuous changes in one direction.
Musty Smell in the Basement
This familiar, musty smell in basements and crawlspaces can actually make your foundation difficult. The smell is usually mild and can be caused by leaking basement walls. The problem may be related to plumbing, but it can also be caused by external humidity that penetrates your foundation through cracks.
Mold Growth
Like mildew in the foundation, a recurrent mold in windows and walls means humidity builds up in your home. In order to avoid foundational cracks or gaps that could be released into the water, check the mold-prone areas before the dehumidifier breaks out.
Reach at Ramjack by American Leveling for house foundation repair in Oklahoma. Here we would be assisting you in any foundation need and structural engineering.