![\"House-Foundation-Problems\"](\"http:\/\/www.01webdirectory.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/peir-and-beam-foundation-repair.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhether your home sits on a concrete slab or a pier and beam foundation, it is susceptible to failure, but knowing how to identify house foundation problems in the early stages can help you avoid larger, costlier repairs down the road.\u00a0 Here are some things to look for.<\/p>\n
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Indoor Signs of Foundation Problems<\/strong><\/p>\n Gravity and minor shifts in the ground beneath your house will cause it to shift and settle over time.\u00a0 As the years go by, you may notice that doors and windows don\u2019t open and close as smoothly as they used to.\u00a0 You may also notice small cracks in the sheetrock. These are normal signs of settling, and they\u2019re usually nothing to be concerned about.<\/p>\n Larger cracks over doorways, windows and where a wall meets the ceiling, cracks in ceramic flooring, and doors and windows that suddenly become so out of alignment that they can\u2019t be opened, closed or latched may be indications of foundation problems.<\/p>\n Outdoor Signs of Foundation Problems<\/strong><\/p>\n Normal settling can also cause small cracks in your home\u2019s exterior masonry. Larger cracks, especially \u201cstair step\u201d cracks in brick and concrete block walls, large gaps between the exterior brick and door and window trim and vertical cracks in the concrete slab are all possible indications of a foundation failure, and should be examined by a professional.<\/p>\n In addition to the perimeter wall, pier and beam foundations consist of other structural members that should be examined.\u00a0 If your home has a basement or crawl space, you should check to make sure that the posts are positioned securely beneath the beams they support, and that they are resting firmly on the concrete piers.<\/p>\n If your home has a crawl space, you should check it for standing water and rotted framing.\u00a0 If you find rotted framing, probe the affected area with a screwdriver to determine the extent of the damage.<\/p>\n Standing water and rotted framing are indications of poor drainage around the foundation.\u00a0 You should check to make sure your rain gutters aren\u2019t clogged, and that the soil around the home slopes away from the foundation at a rate of six inches per ten feet.<\/p>\n