When you see the tell-tale signs of structural damage in your home, you may feel like you have a major problem that will cost a small fortune to fix. However, if you know how to identify the damage, and catch it before it gets too bad, most foundation problems have simple, permanent solutions and many can be completed in a day! The key is to know how to recognize the problem, catch it early and call a foundation repair specialist in Alabama. That’s what we, at Ox Foundation Solutions, are here for, and we have the tools and expertise to solve the problem permanently.
Tell-Tale Signs you have a foundation problem in your home:
Drywall Cracks
Cracks in drywall throughout the house are one of the most common signs of foundation problems. They will often be larger and more obvious in the home’s upper levels. Typical drywall cracks will appear around door frames and windows, in the ceiling, in corners, and along the wall. Drywall tape can also be a good indicator, especially if it’s ripping or coming loose. Drywall cracks can also be a sign of sinking crawl space supports, sinking floors, and heaving floors.
Stair-Step Cracking
Stair-step cracking in concrete block walls or brick walls are troublesome. As the settlement continues, vertical cracks may widen or become uneven as wall sections tilt away from each other, indicating more severe displacement. Keep an eye out for cracks that are wider at the top than at the bottom, as this is a sign of advancing settlement.
Tilting Chimneys
Another sign of settling foundation is tilting chimneys. A leaning or tilted chimney tends to be a more noticeable foundation issue. It is also a very dangerous problem when your chimney tilts or leans, it can either fall in on your home, or the mortar can come loose and fall.
Damaged Doors & Windows
Problems with your windows or doors are often a sign that your foundation may have an issue. Sticking windows or doors are often blamed on the humidity and the main cause is often overlooked which is the settling or shifting of your foundation. If your foundation has started to settle, it may also cause cracks to develop around the doors or windows, or cause them to separate from the walls since an opening cut in any wall is a weak point. All of these structural issues are usually the result of foundation failure and can lead to other issues throughout your home, such as water leakage or wall cracks. Other signs of foundation settlement include sticking or jamming doors and windows and locks that stop working.
Slab Floor Cracking
Cracks in your concrete floor slab can be a sign of foundation settlement. However, it may also be that the slab floor alone has settled. There are times when your slab floor may sink independently of the foundation walls, damaging the floors but not necessarily the walls.
Cracks from slab settlement can affect both old and new structures. Whether you are dealing with a sinking slab in your basement, garage, driveway or patio, a quick, cost-effective method to raise and level the slab is with OxPoly. That concrete-lifting technique is a less-disruptive alternative to other slab-raising methods.
Trust Ox Foundation Solutions to Fix the Structural Issues the You Spot
At Ox Foundation Solutions, we can fix your foundation problems. We have proven solutions, fully warranted for any type of foundation repair your home requires, with expert technicians, and the highest quality products to solve your foundation problem.
To help you make an educated decision, we provide you with a complete inspection, performed by one of our highly trained experts, and a free written foundation repair estimate, explaining exactly what we will do, and how much it will cost to give you back peace of mind!
We are a locally owned and operated company proudly serving the Greater Birmingham, AL and the surrounding areas. To schedule an appointment, contact us at (205) 839-7950 today!