A home's foundation remains one of the most important things to get right since it serves as the base of your house. According to This Old House, the average home weighs five tons! That's a lot of weight to put on the ground, so a foundation must ensure that your house doesn't sink and experience real damage that threatens its integrity. Therefore, it's important to be aware of any damage your foundation has. Here are a few common signs you need foundation repair.

1. Severe Exterior Wall Cracks

Do your home's exterior walls have cracks that get worse every year? That's a huge sign of foundation problems. According to The Family Handyman, vertical cracks demonstrate a very severe issue with foundations. This indicates that your house could be sinking right into the ground around you.



With that said, horizontal, diagonal, and stair-step cracks are all a problem and shouldn't be ignored. Stair cracks, in particular, showcase a severely damaged foundation. Thankfully, exterior cracks are pretty easy to spot. However, other signs aren't as easily noticeable.

2. Siding and Roofing Problems

Have you noticed that your siding is buckling, cracking, or warping? That could be an issue with the siding itself or a foundation problem. As your home settles on a damaged foundation, the walls will shift and potentially loosen up your siding.

It's not as hard to diagnose this problem as you might think. Look for gaps or warps along your planks, and try to see if they fit together nicely. If you notice severe damage, it's best to contact a foundation repair company to get a professional opinion on the damage.

Beyond your siding, it's worth checking out your roofing. Damage to the roof (including the shingles) may indicate a serious foundation problem. Let your contractor know about this problem, and it should give them an idea of what could be happening.

3. Bouncing Floors

When you walk through your home, does the floorboard seem to bounce with each step? This could be greater than a flooring issue. It often indicates a really dangerous problem that requires immediate foundation repair. Many times, this is caused by termite damage, but it's also related to more general foundational issues.

For instance, moisture-related issues in your crawl space may trigger some foundation problems. Should your foundation settle after installation? Slightly, but termite and moisture concerns can make it settle too much. It's best to have this checked by professionals if you suspect any signs of water or termite damage in your home.

4. Ground Damage Around the House

Is the ground around your home soft or severely damaged? Do you notice it sinking or shifting around your home? That's a big problem likely related to devastating foundation damage. Sinking ground almost always indicates a water or drainage problem, which can impact your foundation.

For example, your home's roof may drip heavily around your home and soak into the ground. Here, it can weaken the soil and even damage the foundation. To fix this problem, it's best to create a better drainage system around your home. If water continues to build up in the soil under and around your home, the foundation can greatly be affected.

5. Heavy Weed Growth Near the Home

Constant weed growth is just a part of being a homeowner. However, too many weeds growing near your foundation could signify a problem. It indicates an excess of moisture around your house.

Weeds thrive in moist environments. Therefore, if weeds pop up around your foundation, there's a high chance you have more moisture there than normal. Ultimately, that excessive water could severely damage your house's foundation.

No matter what problems you have with your foundation, it's critical to get help from a foundation repair service. After all, cracks and other issues may worsen and threaten your home's structural integrity. Putting off repairs can lead to more severe damage to your home in the long run.

Our team is standing by to help you with any foundation repair you need. With years of experience, we deeply understand foundational problems. Just as importantly, we truly enjoy our job and will do what we can to keep your foundation strong. Contact Schexnaydre Restoration & Construction today for more information!