How to Know If Your Home Needs Foundation Repair

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Colin's Construction Blog: Building a House

Hi, there! My name is Colin. Last year, I finally completed some construction work on my home. For many years, I had been meaning to do lots of jobs around the place. I wanted to install a new bathroom downstairs. However, I had no idea how to do this so I avoided everything. My wife continued to complain about the lack of progress so I eventually contacted a team of contractors. A plumber, an electrician and a construction team visited my home and completed the work. As they did so, they taught me an awful lot about the best way to complete the job. I hope you find my blog useful.

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How to Know If Your Home Needs Foundation Repair

1 February 2018
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog


The condition of your home's foundation is very important, as a poor-quality foundation or one that is in disrepair can mean structural damage to the home's framework, as well as water getting into the home's basement or crawlspace. This could lead to mould and mildew in the home and could also attract insects and pests of all sorts.

Unfortunately, many homeowners don't know what to look for when it comes to a damaged foundation and may allow cracks and holes to get very large before they patch them or have the home underpinned. Note a few tips for determining if you should have a professional examine your home's foundation for needed repairs.

Inside the home

If you notice doors suddenly not closing properly or moving slightly while hanging open, or can't latch or lock inside doors properly, this may mean that the doorframe has shifted due to a damaged foundation. Creaking hinges can also mean that the door is not hanging as it should, or you might notice a door suddenly brushes the flooring or scrapes the top of the doorframe while being closed.

You may notice sudden problems with windows in the same way; they may get very sticky so that they don't close easily, or you cannot lock them as you once did. Problems with items you put in shelves can also signal that the home has shifted; rounded items may suddenly start rolling or shifting, or pictures and other knickknacks you have displayed may seem crooked, even though you know you've hung your artwork and shelving level and even. Rather than just sanding down a door or trying to tighten and oil hinges or window frames, have the home's foundation checked for damage in these cases.

Outside the home

Cracks in the home's foundation are an obvious sign of needed repair, but you might also look for bulges and what looks like paint chips or peeling as well. These often mean that the foundation has suffered water damage; bulges can indicate air or water that has gotten below the surface of the foundation. The outer layer of the concrete may also chip or flake when exposed to water, and this can also indicate a soft or damaged foundation.

Also, if your property has drainage issues, it's good to have the foundation checked for potential damage. If the foundation has been exposed to moist soil, repeated flooding, and other such problems related to the property itself, it may have also suffered water damage and need repair work. For more information about house underpinning or foundations, contact a professional.