You know what they say; prevention is better than cure. Inspecting your house regularly, detecting early signs of foundation damage, and calling in the experts to conduct repairs can save you thousands of dollars and guarantee you and your family’s safety, knowing that the house won’t sink on you.
That being said, here are the top five common signs of basement foundation damage in Kansas City:
Basement Wall Cracks
Soil expansion and contraction often lead to cracks in the foundation basement. You may also notice small fissures, but that’s not usually a significant cause for alarm as they’re merely â…› inches thick. However, you should still have the concrete inspected by a reliable foundation repair company as any crack or fissure, no matter how small, is usually a sign of foundation movement.
Water in the Basement
As you may be aware, Kansas City soil’s poor drainage is one of the significant causes of water issues. If you notice water running down the foundation wall or lingering in the basement floor, that’s usually a sign of the swelling of the soil underneath. And true to your guess, soil expansion usually results from high moisture accumulation due to poor drainage.
Bowing Walls
The hydrostatic pressure due to poor drainage may also cause the basement walls to move inwardly. As the pressure continues to build up, the walls may damage. As such, if you notice any bends or swells in the basement walls, that’s a red flag, and you should get in touch with foundation repair experts for immediate assistance.
Sloping and Uneven Floors
The best way to find out if your floor is sloping or uneven is by pouring water onto it. If the water gathers at one spot (or a few different spots), that’s a sign that you have a sloping or uneven floor due to foundation movement. Although it’s not uncommon for some construction workers to do a below-par job in leveling the floors, the water should still manage to spread seamlessly, and it should pique your concern if it doesn’t.
Foundation Settling
Foundation settling is an issue in many homes in the Kansas City area. It usually occurs when foundation footings move to unstable grounds. Settling occurs when the moisture levels rise due to heavy rainfall, poor drainage, or even earthquake. Therefore, you have to wait until there are low moisture levels, say drought period, to notice signs of foundation settling. These may include cracks in fireplaces, brick/stone veneers, or sheetrock.
Besides the basement, you may also notice signs of foundation movement from the structure’s interiors and exteriors. These include:
- Sticking door and windows
- Cracks in the drywall
- Water leakage via cracks
- Misaligned windows and doors
- Tilted or leaning chimneys
- Gaps around the windows and doors
- Cracks in the brickworks
- Cracks in ceiling