There is nothing that your home needs more than a solid foundation. We’re not just talking about the foundation of the family within it, but the very foundations of the house itself. Without a solid foundation, you’re looking at potentially costly damage down the line and a house that’s crumbling while you’re paying for it.

Taking the time to understand the warning signs of a poor foundation is going to save you time, money and a big ol’ headache if you learn what you need to know. Knowing the issues can help you to find the experts in foundation leak repair when you need them, because you know what to look for and how to find them. Your house deserves to keep standing and you deserve to keep your home for as long as possible. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the home foundation warning signs you really shouldn't ignore.

You can see cracks in the walls. Obviously, you’re going to notice snaking cracks up along the walls of your home but believe it or not, so many people choose to ignore these. That’s a bad idea. Cracks are bad, but the cracks that are wider than quarter of an inch are the cracks that tell you something is going wrong with the foundations of your home. Paying attention to diagonal cracks is as important as the thin ones snaking up the side of your lounge. The cracks that appear around your windows and doors are equally as damaging and dangerous to the solid foundation of your house, so make sure that you respond to those quickly!
The floors are slanting. You shouldn't have a house with slanting, sloping floors. If you notice that the floors are suddenly shifting to slant sideways, then this points to underlying structural issues that really do require your attention. You can’t ignore this because not only will your furniture be shifting with the flooring, but your whole house could be sinking sideways and you’d certainly need to fix some cracks then.
Sticky doors, sticky windows. We’re not talking about the type of stickiness that comes from the kids hands after an ice cream. If your doors and windows are suddenly difficult to open or close, your home could be setting unevenly and that’s a sure sign that your foundation is struggling to keep solid. If your doors and windows were fine but aren't anymore, then it may not always be down to the cold swelling the frames or the heat contracting it. It can be because your home’s foundation is shifting and you’re going to find you need experts to help!
The windows and doors are gappy. Visible gaps are not supposed to be a thing around your windows and doors. In fact, this should be solid enough that everything is closed and sealed to keep the cold air out and the warm air in. If you’ve noticed sudden gapping in your windows or doors, you might be looking at foundation settlement issues. This not only leads to an increase in energy costs, but you’ll have to fork out some cash to make some repairs.
The basement has pooled water. Usually, you can blame faulty appliances and leaky windows but if you have water pooling in the basement, you might have an issue with the foundation. The drains should be working properly and when you have foundation problems, the drainage becomes wonky and that’s a problem. You have to always address any water problems the moment you find them because you can then prevent mold growth and the issues that come with it.
The foundation is physically cracked. A good sign that you have foundation issues is the very visible and very scary looking cracks outside your home. Even the smallest cracks can widen over time and this can lead to significant structural damage of the entire house. Having someone come in and assess it and tell you what to do is important - you want to continue living in your home and you can only do that if the foundation itself is a solid one.
The garage is separating. Your garage - unless designed otherwise - is supposed to be a part of the house, not a separate building. If you notice that the exterior walls are pulling away then it’s a very strong indication that there are issues happening that require a professional to come and see it. You’re supposed to be able to drive into your garage, not a huge gap between house and garage!
The walls are bowing down. Your walls are supposed to stay upright, right? Bowed walls are a very good sign that there is a problem and a bad sign for your house. Basement walls, especially, should not be leaning inwards or bowing and it could be showing you that your foundation is in distress if it is. You shouldn't wait around on this if you notice it because you could end up with the entire room caving in as a result of an ignored leaning wall.
Corner cracks. Noticed corner cracks around the exterior of your home? This is a foundation settlement but its foundation settlement has gone wrong. Settlement happens as a result of changes in soil moisture levels and that shouldn't be happening. Your home needs careful inspection from the building company that builds it if you notice this.
You can see mold growth. Whether it’s the basement or the interior walls of your home, you shouldn't be seeing mildew and mold creeping upwards. However, mold always thrives where its dampest and addressing issues with your foundation could fix it faster than anything else. This isn't something to patch over, but something to permanently fix as soon as you can.

If you notice any of these ten signs of home foundation issues, you have to make sure that you call the experts as soon as you can. You need to protect your home, your investment and your furniture! You’re putting money into this and therefore, you deserve for it to be carefully cared for.

Home Foundation Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore