Cracks in walls or ceilings, uneven floors, and doors that stick are some of the most common signs indicating your home needs foundation repair. Noticing gaps between the wall and floor, including exterior brickwork cracks, are also indications you need to get your foundation fixed.
It’s always best to consult a foundation repair expert if you suspect you require concrete underpinning.
In this blog, we’ll expand more on the signs that could indicate the need for foundation repairs.
How Will I Know When My House Needs Foundation Repair?
You will know when your house needs foundation repair by noticing the following signs:
Cracks in Walls or Ceilings
Cracks in walls or ceilings are often a telltale sign of foundation issues. While minor hairline cracks can be a natural part of a home’s settling process, more significant fractures indicate potential problems. The soil in Melbourne can expand and contract due to variations in moisture levels.
As this happens, the foundation can shift, causing stress on the walls and ceilings of the home. As a result, cracks can form. It’s essential to monitor these cracks and, if they grow or multiply, seek the advice of a foundation expert.
Uneven or Sloping Floors
Floors that appear uneven, sloping, or sagging might signal foundation distress. A stable foundation ensures that the entire home remains level. However, if one part of the foundation sinks or settles more than another, it can result in an uneven floor.
In Melbourne, where the ground can have varied soil composition, uneven settling is not uncommon. Walking across the floor and feeling a tilt or placing a ball and watching it roll in a particular direction can indicate this issue.
Sticking Doors or Windows
When doors or windows become challenging to open or close, it could be due to foundation shifts affecting their alignment. An adequately aligned foundation ensures that door and window frames remain square. However, foundation movement can warp these frames, causing doors and windows to stick or not fit correctly.
While there might be other reasons for sticking doors or windows, like humidity or poor installation, persistent problems in multiple areas of the home often point to foundation concerns.
Wall and Floor or Ceiling Gaps
Noticing gaps between where the walls meet the floor or ceiling can be alarming. This separation often indicates that the home’s foundation is moving. As the foundation shifts, it can pull walls away from the floor or ceiling, creating these gaps.
While minor separation can be due to other factors like temperature fluctuations, significant gaps, or rapidly widening spaces, it should be a cause for concern, warranting an immediate foundation inspection.
Exterior Cracks
The external appearance of a home can also hint at foundation problems. Visible cracks in the brickwork, facade, or even the foundation itself should not be ignored. These can be signs of foundation movement or settling.
Although some minor cracks can be attributed to the natural ageing process of a home, deep cracks or those resembling a stair-step pattern, especially around doors or windows, can indicate a severe foundation issue that needs attention.
Is Getting Foundation Repair Expensive?
Depending on the extent of the repairs needed, foundation repairs can become expensive. The total cost will still depend on the severity of the issues as well as how long it takes to repair the foundations.
Who Do I Call for Foundation Repairs?
You should call a foundation repair expert to address foundation problems. These professionals are experienced in handling such issues and can provide the proper solution after a thorough assessment.
