Foundation settling is something that affects the entire household. There are many signs that point towards this issue, and they are very easy to spot, especially if the settling has been going on for a while. The tricky thing about detecting foundation settling is that the problem signs are often treated like isolated incidents. Homeowners look at the many structural issues caused by settling and try to fix them without being able to fix the root of the problem. By knowing what to look for and understanding how it all ties in with foundation failure, you’ll be able to identify and subsequently get the necessary repairs.
The first thing you want to look for is damage to the walls and ceiling. Because part of the house is sinking, the other half is carrying a tremendous weight that is causing the walls and ceilings to crack. Doors and windows become jammed frequently since the settling is warping and breaking the frames. In your basement or crawl space, the joists and supports begin to sink along with the rest of the foundation, causing uneven floors. If you have any interior columns, these will also begin to break and tilt, and you can measure this with a level ruler.
Damage to the actual foundation is also easy to see if you have a basement. The basement walls can bow inwards and crack as it bears the pressure of a settling home. The cracks along the walls and floor of the basement will also make it easier for groundwater to get in, so if your basement gets flooded frequently and you see structural damage, it’s most likely because of foundation settling. Structural damage can be seen outside the home as well, usually around the bottom half. One sure-fire indicator of foundation settling is stair-step cracks along mortar walls.