Foundation Structural Problems

Inspect Your Home

• As you look at your house or a house you're about to buy, see if large trees are planted too close to the house. The roots could damage the foundation. What's more, the roots can cause the moisture around the house to be unequal. The soil should slope away from the house starting at the foundation. If it slopes toward the house or if there are indentations near the foundation, it could be a warning of an existing problem or a problem to come. Then, look up at the roof line to see where the drains are located and whether or not they move water away from the house. Check to make sure the gutters are clean.

Other Clues

• Another way to check for foundation problems is to take a faraway view of the house. Check to see if it appears to be leaning at all. Then, take a closer look at the foundation itself. Stand at one end the house and look straight along the foundation horizontally. Notice any bulges or irregularities. Use a long carpenter's level to make sure the foundation is level vertically and not leaning, and make sure that the house is still resting evenly atop the foundation. If you see bulges or your foundation isn't level, call in an expert to take a closer look.

Structural Cracks

• If a crack is bulging and wider than 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch, it probably means moisture-saturated soil is exerting pressure on the wall. This is a problem. If you see horizontal cracks across the wall, chances are you'll need a complete foundation replacement. Horizontal cracks can be a sign of backed-up gutters, which often lead to water-saturated soil against the side of the house and foundation. When the water-saturated soil freezes and thaws repeatedly, it can cause horizontal buckling cracks. The soil will begin to bulge in toward the basement, causing the wall to cave in if left unattended.

A Nonlevel Floor

• This can be one of the most difficult signs to observe. You won't necessarily see balls rolling downhill in your living room. If it's to that point, you'll have already noticed bigger issues. Instead, look for doors that start to jam unexpectedly or fail to latch. Look for cracks over doorways or windows where the wall meets the ceiling, or for cracks in vinyl flooring that's covering concrete. Sticky or completely stuck windows are another clue. Keep in mind that some of these signs may be nothing more than a dirty window track or normal settling.

Nonstructural Cracks

• For the most part, nonstructural cracks are less than 1/8 inch wide. They generally start at windows, doors or pipes and can cause water seepage. Sometimes cracks will form along cinder blocks in a stair-step-shaped pattern, getting thinner as they descend toward the floor or ground. They probably aren't a sign of serious foundation problems. One way to tell without calling in a professional is to paint over the cracks with concrete waterproofing paint. If the cracks reappear and get bigger, then you may have a problem.