Signs of Residential Foundation Stress

Foundation damage in Richmond can manifest itself in residential properties in a variety of ways. Over time, a home’s foundation is impacted by stress, but the signs may not always be easy to detect by the average homeowner. Walder Foundation Products has worked with many certified installers and foundation repair specialists in the Richmond area, who are trained to recognize the signs of residential foundation damage and stress, and we think it’s helpful to let homeowners know how to identify signs of residential foundation stress so they can reach out to a professional foundation repair company at the first indications of foundation damage. Addressing your Richmond home’s foundation and crawl space damage as early as possible is crucial to avoid more extensive and costly damage down the line. Below are some common signs of residential foundation stress and tips on how to recognize them.

Bowing or Cracking Walls

One of the most recognizable signs of foundation stress and damage in Richmond is bowing walls. This happens when walls bow or bulge, such as walls sliding inward at the bottom or leaning in at the top. You may also see stair-step, vertical, or horizontal cracks in the walls. Whether your interior walls or basement walls are bowing or cracking, this can indicate foundation settlement, stress, or damage.

Sagging and Sinking 

A sign of foundation or crawl space damage in Richmond may also be sagging or sinking. Crawl spaces may tilt or sink in the middle and even lead to uneven or sloping floors. Another sign of residential foundation stress comes in the form of foundation sinking or settling, which is evident if you see cracks around doors or windows, cracks in walls, and even cracks in a concrete slab. Tilting chimneys are also a common symptom of a settling foundation. Contact us today to learn more about our sagging floor repair services in Richmond.

Difficulty Opening and Closing Windows and Doors

Another sign of residential foundation stress is difficulty opening and closing windows and doors. When windows and doors stick or are hard to open, or become completely stuck in their frames, it makes it almost impossible to use them. This is a sign of residential foundation stress and should be inspected promptly to properly identify the cause.  

Heave

Residential slab foundations can manifest stress in the form of upward movement, or heave. Instead of sinking, foundations can also move upward. The symptoms of foundation heave are similar to the signs of settling, with cracks in walls or brickwork, sticking windows and doors, and cracked slabs. If you notice a section of your slab or sidewalk seems to be lifting, this is a sign of foundation heave, a common residential foundation stressor. 

If ignored, any of these symptoms can develop into major problems for your foundation, leading to costly and time-consuming repairs. Reach out to a reputable foundation and crawl space damage repair company in Richmond right away and request a foundation inspection and estimate for repair.