Property owners in Silver Spring should be on the lookout for potential foundation movement problems. Some homeowners call us to make evaluations on their foundation when it’s too late since they are unsure of the signs that determine a damaged foundation.
Some issues are simple to identify, while others need a closer examination by our experts. We narrowed down some of the common signs that we’ve observed in most Silver Spring homes, and here is what you need to watch out for.
Uneven or Sagging Floors
In case your floors appear to be bowing, dipping, sagging, or simply not level, your house could be in trouble. Usually, foundation issues significantly impact the supports holding up your flooring, making the floors to sag and squeak. If you have concrete slabs, your floors are prone to be out of level or uneven since the foundations are placed directly on the ground.
Uneven floors may initially seem to be out of level by about ½” but can get to even 2″ within a short time. To avoid more trouble, we recommend seeking our experts’ help to stop the foundation movement as soon as possible.
Gaps Around Exterior Doors or Window Frames
Property owners in Silver Spring often notice gaps around the spaces in their exterior doors or window frames. The problem may be worse if the doors no longer latch, a clear sign that the issue could be due to foundation issues.
When there is a problem with your foundation, double doors tend to align improperly, making them difficult to close. Additionally, door frames can become crooked, which impairs all door types. If you experience any such issues, call us to perform an evaluation on your property.
Cracks on Stonework and Bricks
One significant sign of house settling issues is cracking on stoneworks and bricks. The cracks form because your house is settling towards one side. With time, settling exerts more pressure on the building, and you will see more brick and stonework cracks.
In most cases, Silver Spring residents will notice stair-step cracks due to house settling. Still, you can experience horizontal and vertical brick cracks. Therefore, whichever type of crack on the exterior of your house, it could be a sign of future foundational problems.
Leaning Chimney
Homeowners with a leaning chimney in Silver Spring should make a thorough inspection of their home’s structural alignment. We understand you can do an entire physical check like a structural engineer, but it’s a good idea to call us to have a professional inspection done. If you notice a cracked chimney, it may be a sign of a severe problem.
You can also check if the chimney is pulling away from the rest of the building. When this happens, it can be an indication of foundation settlement. The chimney isn’t as stable as the entire building, so that it may showcase the problems earlier. Therefore, if you notice a leaning chimney, it could be an early sign to call us to make the necessary repairs to save you from costly structural damages.
Bowed Walls
Generally, bowed walls are somewhat difficult to notice if you are not an expert in the structural engineering field. In the early stages, bowed foundation walls are very subtle, but it gets more dramatic with time since they will curve inwards and become more apparent as hydrostatic pressure from the clay soil mounts.
The basement can be one of the first areas you will notice these changes due to hydrostatic pressure emanating from the soil around it. If your home in Silver Spring has a basement, we encourage you to make an assessment often, mostly during harsh weather conditions to ensure that the walls are still standing straight.