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3 Signs Your Foundation Is Starting To Sink

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3 Signs Your Foundation Is Starting To Sink

Your foundation is on soil, and that soil changes over time. If it changes to the point where it can no longer hold up your home, your foundation will start to sink. A sinking foundation can ruin your home’s structure, and because of this, you must fix sinking immediately. But how do you know if your home is sinking? Below, we go over three of the most common signs your foundation is starting to sink.

Cracks in the Foundation and Your Home

The most obvious thing to look for are cracks in your foundation. Not all foundation cracks are bad, but ones that are long, wider than a tenth of an inch, or leaking are causes for concern. Alternatively, you may notice cracks in your walls or above door and window frames due to the wallboards shifting with the foundation.

Sticky Doors and Windows

Are your doors not closing properly or sticking? This is a common sign of a sinking home. That said, doors and windows can stick for all kinds of reasons, such as humidity and age. To test if the sticking is due to sinking or another issue, you can place a level tool at the top of the frame. If the frame isn’t level, then the problem is most likely your foundation.

Crooked Floors

The final sign your home is starting to sink is a crooked floor. Here’s an easy way to test for uneven floors. Set a marble near one wall. If it starts to roll toward the opposite wall, that means your floors are crooked. The number one cause of uneven floors is foundation or crawlspace issues, so if you have wonky floors, have your foundation looked at ASAP!

If you’re worried your foundation is sinking, you should get in touch with a professional and have them come out to assess the problem. The good news? Foundation sinking is fixable through push pier installation and other methods. The bad news? Repairs can be costly. But foundation issues will only worsen over time, so it's better to fix them now rather than later, when they’ll be harder and more expensive to repair.