Signs of Foundation Settlement & Associated Problems

Notice sticking doors & windows in your home? It's probably because the soil under your home's foundation is settling. Continue reading this post to learn about all things related to foundation settlement issues.

We like to use a term called the "active zone" to explain why your foundation may be settling, "The active zone refers to soil beneath the ground surface that is most affected by changes in moisture as the season or climate changes." 

The soil in the active zone can settle for various reasons:
-Sometimes when your soil is receiving a lot of rain, it can cause the soil to become wet and weak. Imagine sinking your foot into some mud... the same phenomena could be happening to your home's foundation. 
-On the contrary, your soil could also be experiencing a drought, which is what's happening in our service area right now. When your soil dries up, it shrinks, giving space for your foundation to sink into. 
-Lastly, sometimes the soil around your home wasn't compacted enough when your home's foundation was first backfilled by whoever built it.

This graphic displays the most common examples you may experience if your house is settling:

Refer to the letters associated on the graphic for the description of each problem described below:

A: The most noticeable sign is sticking windows and doors. If the problem worsens, you may also see cracking near the frames and in the drywall. 

B: You may also see your outside brick crack in a stair-step like pattern. This is because the mortar between the brick is the weakest part of the brick wall, (you may also notice this in block wall foundations from the inside of the basement). 

C: Chimneys can lean away from the house because they are very heavy and oftentimes on a seperate foundation from the house, exaggerating the effect of settling.

D: Lastly, you may see cracking in your slab foundation floor, although this does not always mean foundation settlement is occuring. The slab floors can sink or lift independently from your foundation walls, damaging the floors but not necessarily the foundation walls themselves. 

Last note: It's important to have an experienced and well trained inspector diagnose these problems, as every situation and case is different from one another. Not all cracks are necessarily "bad" and this is why it's important to also have a trusted inspector who won't try to diagnose a solution that you don't need. Our certified inspectors are trusty, experienced, and well trained, and they also diagnose problems for absolutely free. 

Want to learn more about our solution for sinking foundations? Click this link to learn more! 

https://www.basementdoctorcincy.com/foundation-repair-products/technical-papers/49623-how-we-fix-sinking-foundations-using-steel-piers-why-they-are-the-best-option.html