5 Ways to Check Your Foundation

well structured brick wall

Wondering if your home has a foundation problem? Over time, your home’s foundation may shift or settle. While a bit of change is absolutely normal,  significant shifting, cracks, or tilting structures could indicate serious issues. Fortunately, you can catch early warning signs with a simple walk-around inspection. Here are five easy ways to inspect your foundation and identify potential problems before they become costly repairs.

Here are five easy ways to check your foundation:

1. Examine Foundation Walls

Cracks can be one of the most significant indicators of foundation problems. Walk around both the exterior and interior of your foundation to look for cracks.

Cracks may form in vertical, horizontal, or stair-step patterns. Learn what these different types of cracks can mean for your home's stability in our guide: (Decoding Your Concrete Block Cracks)

2. Check the Ground Around Your Home

For rainwater and snowmelt to drain away from your home and not into your basement, soil should be sloped away from your foundation.

If the grade is too flat or if it runs towards your home, water could be damaging your home.

Likewise, incorrectly placed rain gutters can funnel water toward your house. (Rain Gutters: Foundation Help or Hurt?)

3. See if Your Chimney’s Tilting

When trying to determine if your foundation has problems, it seems counterproductive to look upwards, but a tilting chimney can be a sign of major foundation issues. (Why is My Chimney Leaning?)

4. Double Check Where Trees are Planted

Trees, shrubs, and other plants can bring beauty to your yard, but their extensive root systems may be wreaking havoc on your foundation.

Tree roots can extend four to seven times the width of the tree's canopy, often reaching under your home's foundation. This underground growth can cause soil to shift, resulting in cracks and uneven settlement. (Getting to the Root of Foundation Issues)

5. Test Doors and Windows

Do you have a door that always seems to stay open? Is there a window that’s impossible to open? Movement in your foundation can affect the alignment of doors and windows.

Quick Foundation Inspection Checklist

  • Walk the exterior and interior perimeter for cracks
  • Check that the ground slopes away from your home
  • Look for tilting in your chimney
  • Keep tree roots away from your foundation
  • Test doors and windows for unusual sticking

If you're unsure what you're seeing or suspect your home has foundation issues, contact the experts at My Foundation Repairs. Our experienced contractors possess the professional expertise to conduct a thorough, reliable foundation inspection and provide solutions tailored to all your foundation needs.

Don’t let a sinking foundation unsettle you. Contact My Foundation Repairs today!