10 Signs Your Home May Need Foundation Repair

Foundation Repair is a Necessary Part of a Home Maintenance Plan

Most homeowners don't even consider home foundation repairs until they need them, and at that point, the damage is considerable. It's almost the "out of sight, out of mind" clause.  At PierMagic we have successfully saved homeowners thousands of dollars by making minor foundation repairs early as damage begins, rather than waiting until a small issue turns into a major problem. The primary reason this works is that homeowners add foundation repair to their maintenance list. They should always be on the lookout for new cracks above doorways, windows or walls, bowed walls, or crumbling foundation and cracks. The key question... so how to do you know if (and when) your home needs repair? Remember that proactive foundation repair is much less expensive than reactive foundation problems.

RELATED: 6 Signs You Need Foundation Repair in Kansas City

We will explain some warning signs below to keep in mind as the weather changes from hot/humid to wet, cold, and even below freezing. Weather can directly impact the soil composition, which consequently impacts your foundation.

1. Doors and windows are sticking shut and do not open and shut like they previously did. This can be a common sign that your foundation is settling.
2. Noticeable cracks. Whether the cracks are appearing in the interior walls on the drywall or on the outside of your home (such as zig-zag cracks in a brick wall), you should take these seriously. Foundation and wall cracks can be another sure sign of house settlement. At PierMagic our DynaPier foundation piering system offers a lifetime repair for these issues.

RELATED: When Cracks Warrant Foundation Repair

1. Gaps between crown molding and the ceiling.This can indicate issues with your foundation.
2. Gaps between caulking and windows or doors. This is typically caused by the home foundation settling and shifting.
3. Sunken Floors or Sinking Foundation. If you notice the ground sinking near your foundation, this could potentially be a foundation issue. Contact us right away for a free consultation.
4. Patios that have pulled away from your home.
5. Wallpaper creases and wrinkles. As the walls shift due to foundation problems, the wallpaper will also shift, causing it to separate or rip.
6. Nail pops – these are small, cracked circles where the nail pulls away from the drywall or sheet rock, exposing the nail head or pushing paint away from the wall.
7. Sloping of floors. Incremental drops of an inch across a home’s foundation are not a problem. But if your home slopes more than an inch every 15 to 20 feet, then you have some sloping issues that may require foundation repair.
8. Bowed basement walls. If your basement walls are bowing in, this means that there could be some foundation problems caused by soil expansion. When the soil is wet it expands pushing against the foundation, as the soil dries it pulls back away from your foundation. This can cause weak areas that will eventually bow.

Not all foundation repair companies will provide the same assessment and solutions. Thousands of Kansas City residents have trusted PierMagic Foundation Specialists with their foundation repair needs. We always offer free estimates - call today or fill out this form to get started.