Is Your Foundation Solid? 4 Signs of Foundational Issues

Your home's foundation is one of its most important parts. If the foundation goes bad, your house could become damaged, unstable, and even dangerous to live in. Most Florida homes are built on concrete slabs, while some are on pillars with a crawlspace area underneath. Still others are built on much taller pillars, with a garage or open area underneath to help reduce damage during a hurricane.

No matter what kind of foundation you have for your home, though, you want to make sure it's in good shape. Getting it repaired when the problems are small is often much easier than waiting until those problems are larger and more significant. Here are four signs to look for when considering whether your home might have foundation issues.

1. Doors and Windows That Aren't Aligned Properly

If you start to notice that your doors don't shut well, or they swing open or closed on their own, you might want to have your foundation checked. A little bit of foundation settling occurs in most homes over time, but it should be minor and usually doesn't affect whether you can close or open doors easily. The same is true with windows, which should move easily and not stick when you try to use them.

2. Cracks in Floors, Walls, or Ceilings

Cracks in the sheetrock of your home's interior walls or ceilings may mean problems with your foundation. Floors can also crack, and that's often most noticeable if you have concrete or tile floors. The garage floor is one of the best places to look for these kinds of problems since it's usually concrete. Bathrooms and kitchens, which may have tile floors, are also good places to take a look for cracks.

When you see these types of problems, calling a licensed contractor to come and take a look is the right choice. That way, you can find out if the crack is something you need to worry about, and if it indicates a larger problem. The frequent rains and high water table in the Naples area can contribute to soft ground, which creates the potential for homes to develop foundation issues as they age.

3. Uneven or Sloping Floors

The feeling that you're walking downhill in parts of your house is another indication that you might be developing issues with your foundation.

Floors shouldn't slope and should be even. If you find that's not the case with your home, though, you'll want to know why.

As an additional test, you can try placing something round, like a marble, on the floor of your home and see if it rolls in one direction or the other.

If your floors are even, it should stay in one place.

4. Cracks in the Brick or Similar Exterior Issues

It's not all interior concerns that might indicate a foundation issue. There are some exterior issues to think about, as well. If you notice cracks in your exterior brick, fascia boards that are pulling away from the house, or anything that's starting to look crooked or misshapen, it's time to call a professional to take a look. Catching foundation issues right away can reduce the difficulty of fixing them and keep damage to your home to a minimum.

Ready to make sure your foundation is strong and solid for the future? Contact Genuine Home Builders, Inc., today and let us help you protect and improve your home. We can take a look at foundation issues, inspect your home for damage, and let you know the next steps of getting your foundation repaired so it's solid and strong. It will keep your home safer and help with your peace of mind as well.