Do an At-Home Check of Your Foundation. What to look for.

As a homeowner, it is important to stay on top of the quality of your home. This includes a regular foundation inspection. At least once a year, preferably in the springtime, take a look at your foundation to see if you note any irregularities. This way, you can take care of any issues before they become a major problem. Below are a few tips on how you can go about an at-home check and what to look for.

The Inside of the Home

You may not consider the fact that foundation issues can affect the inside of your home. Take a look at doors and windows. Are you having trouble with any doors failing to latch correctly or jamming? Do windows not want to open or stay open? You may also notice cracking appearing from the flooring and climbing up the walls. These are all signs of foundation problems in the home.

Slab Foundation

If your home has a slab foundation, it will need to be reviewed for any problems. Visible cracks can be a problem based on the direction of the movement, location, and the size. If you feel that any new cracks could be a potential hazard, then a professional engineer will need to be brought in to check to see if any new support methods are needed.

Exterior Signs

Take a walk around the exterior of the home and look for any signs such as bulging or divots in the foundation. If you see such signs, shifting may be occurring. Leaning walls can be checked with a level of accuracy. If the top portion of the foundation is sticking out beyond the walls in one section, then the foundation has tipped. The soil can expand and contract under the foundation which can lead to bowing or shifting of the foundation.

Crawl Spaces

The crawl spaces of the home will also need to be inspected for foundation problems. Concrete supports, piers or posts will need to be evaluated for strength as well as integrity. These posts should be straight and planted firmly in the ground. A level can be used to detect if the posts are straight. Look for any standing water or signs of water in this area of your home. Moisture can cause major issues in the home as well as wood destroying insects such as termites. Use a screwdriver or sharp tool to push against any wood beams to ensure no insects are present or have been gnawing away at the wood.

Taking time to evaluate your home can be of benefit as you will catch any issues ahead of time. During your inspection, if you find any serious issues or something you have never seen before, do not hesitate to contact a company for an inspection. It is better to have a situation examined by a professional so that you can find out if you have a major issue that needs to be corrected. If so, have the work completed so the integrity of your home remains intact.