Foundations settle in three ways, each of which is more disruptive than the others. The first is uniform settling, which occurs when the home starts to sink uniformly. Although this type of settling is uncommon since soil nearly never erodes uniformly, it does occur. Warped and disconnected handrails from front porches and decks are the most evident indications of this type of settling. Because these portions of the house are not connected to the foundation, they will begin to separate from the rest of the structure as the house sinks.
Tipping settlement is the second type of settling, and it occurs when the home begins to sink to one side. The foundation remains intact with this type of settling, therefore cracks are limited, though this does not guarantee that this will always be the case. Uneven flooring, tilted chimneys, basement leaks, and disconnected decks and front porches are the most visible indicators of tilting settlement. Again, just because there are no fractures in the foundation due to tilting settlement does not mean the structure of your home is safe. If allowed to progress, this type of settling can quickly evolve into the most disruptive: differential settlement.
Differential settling occurs when a section of your foundation separates from the rest of the house and settles on uneven ground. Foundation fractures are prevalent with this type of settlement, which can result in basement flooding from groundwater, warped window and door frames, damaged floor joists, upstairs wall and ceiling cracks, and a home that is less energy efficient. The other types of settling are inconvenient for your property, but differential settlement is very damaging, costing you far more in repairs. Call us for a free home inspection and rapid, permanent repair solutions if you fear your Point Pleasant house’s foundation is settling in this way.