Have you been noticing signs that your house is settling? Has there been a recent shift in your floors? Cracks in your foundation or drywall? Do you have doors and windows that are sticking? Then you have come to just the right place! In this blog, we will discuss foundation settling in residential homes and why it might be a problem for the long-term stability of your home.
What is Foundation Settling?
Generally, a new house will naturally settle within 2 to 3 months after being built. This is a normal result of new construction.
However, your house can also settle over time due to climate change, such as heavy rains, changes in humidity, and temperature variations. Likewise, the ground under your house’s foundation can shift, causing the foundation to settle further.
Foundation settling can lead to additional problems throughout your house. Irregular floors can be considered signs of foundation problems. If there has been any flooding or lack of proper drainage around your house, these factors can also contribute to foundation settling.
Signs That Your Home Has a Foundation Settling Problem
Here are some common signs that may indicate that your house has foundation problems.
Stair-Step Cracks on Walls
Stair-step cracks in the foundation of your house are a common problem that you should take seriously. These cracks can indicate a serious underlying structural problem that may lead to severe consequences if left unaddressed.
Stair-step cracks can be observed as diagonal or stepped fissures along the mortar joints of your home’s foundation walls or exterior brick walls. Although these cracks usually start small over time, they can grow, threatening your home’s structural integrity.
Cracks Appearing Around Doors and Windows
Cracks appearing in your walls can be caused by several factors. Cracks around your doors or windows may indicate that the foundation is settling. Cracks appearing in newly built homes can also indicate construction problems, such as poorly mixed concrete, which can cause air pockets to form.
Doors or Windows Sticking or Not Closing
If you are starting to observe gaps between door frames and walls, this might be a sign of foundation issues. As your foundation settles or shifts over time, it can also significantly affect the alignment of the doors and window frames in your house.
You might notice that doors no longer fit perfectly in their frames or are starting to stick and won’t open or close easily. Likewise, windows may also begin to show alignment problems, which can include gaps between the window frame and the wall and windows not closing or opening properly. Such alignment issues are usually an indication of foundation-settling problems.
If you observe any or all of these signs, feel free to contact our experts at Bluebird CFW Foundation Repair and Waterproofing for a free consultation and inspection!
How to Fix Foundation Settlement
If the damage to your foundation is repairable, foundation repair experts will help fix your foundation settlement by installing helical piers.
Helical Piers
Helical piers are considered one of the most effective solutions for alleviating foundation settlement. Helical pier systems help stabilize your foundation by creating a solid supporting base that will transfer the weight of your house downwards towards sturdy soil or bedrock.
Helical piers provide increased stability and have a high load-bearing capacity. They use helical blades to screw into the soil, thus forming a strong connection between the structure above and the stable soil or bedrock beneath. Helical piers are a long-lasting solution.
Conclusion
Evaluating foundation issues can be daunting. While some minor cracks in your home can be ignored, damage that has progressed over time could require considerable time and money to repair. If you are concerned about issues in your home’s foundation, we recommend that you call a professional and have them inspect your home.
