Most homeowners do not spend much time thinking about their home's foundation. Once a home is built, it is natural to assume that all components,including the foundation, are structurally sound. However, foundations can develop problems over time, and these issues need to be repaired by a professional. One common issue with foundations is cracking. It is best to have a cracked foundation repaired as quickly as possible to prevent even more damage from occurring. The sooner a foundation crack is identified and repaired, the less expensive the repairs will be. Use the following tips to help you recognize that your home has a cracked foundation that needs to be repaired:
Cracks on Interior Walls
As a homeowner, it is important to pay attention to the condition of the walls in your home. You may want to get into the routine of inspecting your walls on a regular basis to look for signs of damage. When you have a cracked foundation, the walls inside your home may also develop cracks due to the shifting foundation. In this type of situation, cracks are most likely to appear around windows, over doorways, or in the areas where a wall meets the corner of the ceiling. If you see any cracking on your walls, no matter how small, it is a good idea to have your foundation inspected to see if it has cracked.
Problems Opening and Closing Windows
If you want some insight into the health of your home's foundation, a simple thing to do is open and close the windows around your house. When a foundation is in good condition, windows should open and close easily. However, when a foundation develops a crack, a windowframe can shift and the window may no longer be easy to open or close. In the event that you have one or more windows in an area of your home that are suddenly difficult to open and close, it may be due to a cracked foundation.
Doorways Become Crooked
Doorways are designed with right angles so a door can open and close without problems. Unfortunately, a cracked foundation can change the shape of a doorway as the home shifts. Sometimes, you may be able to notice that a doorway has become crooked just by looking at it. In other cases, you may not be able to tell that the doorway has shifted and is now crooked, but the door may begin to stick or won't stay closed.
To learn more about cracked foundation repair, contact a specialist near you.
