What Is Realistic?
Foundations will move slightly over time. Foundations will settle, and soil can displace. That being said, when is a home’s foundation considered no longer level?
If a home’s foundation is level to 7/10ths of an inch, it is considered acceptable. Past that, it is time to call in the pros to assess what is causing the foundation to displace.
Will Foundation Repair Fix A Not Level House
Yes, foundation repair in most cases can stabilize and level a house back into the acceptable range of within 7/10ths of an inch. That being said, a home’s foundation will never truly be perfectly level.
This is because foundations will naturally settle over time. So while it may not be absolutely perfect, it is well within the margin of keeping your property safe.
There are other cases in which a home cannot be fully leveled. If a foundation aggressively sinks in some areas, it may actually physically break the house if the foundation is brought fully level. In these rare cases, a foundation will be leveled to the greatest point it can before it causes undue damage to the home.
Warning Signs Of Foundation Leveling Issues
While you might think it is obvious when a home is experiencing foundation damage, sometimes the signs can be much more subtle. While we all know to look for visible cracks on the exterior, and interior of houses, you might be surprised that even odor can indicate foundation damage.
Keep an eye out for the usual suspects as well as some of the less well-known warning signs of a damaged foundation such as:
- Excessive Creaking (Indicates the house aggressively settling)
- Unusual Odors (Gaps in foundation and soil can release trapped gases)
- Sticking Doors & Windows (A house settling can realign door frames and windows)