Your home may begin to settle or shift for many reasons, whether it’s a new build, there has been extreme weather, or your foundation has issues. If you can’t locate a leak elsewhere, consider whether the water damage may be a result of your home’s foundation and any subsequent damage it could have caused. If you notice moisture on the inside of your windows, see new mold, or smell mildew, try to find the source of the water intrusion. Foundation issues can also create new cracks in your exterior that allow moisture to seep behind your walls, growing mold in the drywall or rotting away at your beams.Įxcess moisture is a serious concern, and basements require a watchful eye. This water can get trapped underneath wood flooring or carpet, resulting in mold overgrowth or a musty smell, especially in low-air flow and high-humidity areas like a basement. That’s because even small cracks in a slab foundation often allow moisture to penetrate your home. Mold and mildew aren’t exclusively related to foundation problems but can be a common sign of a bad foundation. However, major cracks or cracks in the foundation itself can be a sign of serious issues to come, and getting your foundation checked allows you to stop new damage or invasive pests, like termites, in their tracks. New homes can take a year or two to settle as the soil below the foundation continues to compress and the materials are exposed to different weather. Some interior wall cracks can be cosmetic in nature, especially if your home was recently built. Getting your home checked out is essential if you notice any cracking. These may appear as stair-step cracks in a brick or stone exterior wall. On the walls or ceilings inside your home.The interior or exterior sides of the foundation itself. You usually see these cracks in a few different areas, such as: If they stick around, there may be problems with the foundation.Ĭracking indicates that your home has shifted or settled somehow and can be one of the first warning signs of a foundation issue. If the door issues come and go, it may be due to weather. If the doors in your home move, stick in the frame, or if your dead bolt is suddenly hard to latch, look around for other signs of foundation damage. However, it can also be due to foundation issues. This can occur with seasonal changes, even in a sound structure, as the wood in your doors expands or contracts with the temperature and humidity. If you begin to see light shining into your home from doorframes or window frames, feel a draft of air coming from outside, see the trim or fascia pulling away, or if cracks appear where the frame attaches to the Sheetrock or brick, it’s time to get a professional inspection.Īny time your home moves, you may notice your doors moving, sticking, or refusing to latch. A shifting foundation can cause your doors or windows to stick, or if the shift is substantially enough, their frames can begin to pull away from the wall. While you may not notice all signs of a bad foundation right away, chances are you’ll find issues with your doors and windows sooner since you use them regularly. If you notice any large gaps or detachments, they could be due to a shifting foundation and will need to be looked at by a professional.ĭoors and Windows Pulling Away from the Wall Some gaps can be caused by settling or temperature changes, especially if it’s only noticeable in caulked areas. This presents as countertops pulling away from the backsplash, adjacent cabinets suddenly showing a gap, or even counters and cabinets detaching from the wall. If your walls or floors have shifted due to foundation changes, certain fixtures in the home can also shift, such as your bathroom and kitchen counters or cabinets. Even if you only see new hairline cracks, their appearance can indicate a bigger problem under the surface of your home.Ĭabinets and Counters Detached from the Wall You may also notice gaps or cracks in your grout or uneven tiles where shifting has begun. If you begin to see sudden changes in your tile floors, you should pay close attention, as this is one of the signs of foundation issues.įoundation movement over time can cause your tiles to move, crack, or break. Tile floors may be stronger and, in some cases, less susceptible to small foundation shifts than wood flooring or carpet.
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