As another year in your home has gone by, it may be time to reevaluate the condition of your home’s foundation. Your home’s foundation supports the structural load of your house. So, it’s important to have yearly maintenance routines to ensure your home stays healthy and stable for future years. Below we’ve provided a checklist to ensure your home is protected for years to come.
Look at The Floors
Take a walkthrough of your home, starting on the first floor. Be aware of any sagging, bowing, or cracks. Pay attention to any gaps between the wall and the floor or the wall and the ceiling. Use a tennis ball or laser level to inspect the foundation of your floor. If the tennis ball begins to roll, this may be a sign of uneven floors. It is also essential to see if the tennis ball moves at a slow or fast rate; A rapid rolling rate can increase the seriousness of damage inflicted to the foundation.
Inspect Windows and Doors
A wall tends to be weaker when large openings such as windows and doors are created. These large openings are usually the first to show signs of foundation damage.
What to look for:
- Wall and floor gaps, or gaps between the windows and doors
- Cracks that extend out in the drywall from the window or door corners
- A window or door separating from the frame or exterior finish
- Check for cracks
Check for Serious Cracks
Cracks may happen over time, and some could be more serious than others. Below are several cracks to look out for a while checking your home’s foundation.
- Diagonal – Occurs when the house settles unevenly
- Hairline – Considered a cosmetic issue and does not impose a threat to the building’s structural support
- Vertical – This often happens when the foundation’s natural material erodes and may lead to water seepage in the basement
- Horizontal – Found most problematic within a home’s foundation. Horizontal cracks near the middle or lower wall can lessen the foundation’s overall structural integrity, jeopardizing the general building.
Check for Moisture, Mold, and Poor Drainage
Are your floors starting to slope or sag? This may be an indication that moisture has seeped into your floors. Long-standing humidity can lead to mold, bacteria, or other biological growth. Some bacteria can deteriorate wooden planks, drywall and, not to mention, leave a foul smell throughout your home.
Poor drainage causes water to pool and saturate the ground around your foundation. The water then applies hydrostatic pressure creating cracks within the foundation’s concrete.
Is There Plumbing Damage?
Plumbing can lead to many issues, but most importantly, plumbing leads to moisture. Moisture is the leading cause of foundation damage. If plumbing issues arise, consider consoling a plumber immediately.
Check Exterior Foundation
Now we move outside of the home to the exterior foundation. Check patios and chimneys for movement or shifting. A chimney is more susceptible to becoming separated from the house near the top due to a weak foundation. You can quickly determine these gaps from just a glance.
Why WTX Foundation Repair
A yearly inspection is a great way to prevent irreplaceable foundation damage to your home. If any of the above issues are found during your DIY inspection, they should be evaluated and repaired by a professional immediately. With over 20 years of experience, WTX offers superior foundation, concrete, house leveling, and waterproofing services in the West Texas and Eastern New Mexico area. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation today!