When Should a House be Leveled?

Have you noticed that your house has sloping floors? Are there any cracks along the walls or ceiling? Are your doors not closing properly? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you most likely have damaged or an unlevel foundation in your home. In this article, we will present the common signs that indicate when a homeowner should make the decision to level their house.

Sloping floors

Your floors could be sloping due to a variety of different issues. The most common cause is settling. Settling can happen when an older home settles on unstable soil. Other potential causes include poor drainage or water accumulation in the basement.

To figure out what’s going on with your house and how to fix it, you should have your floors checked by a professional contractor or builder (if they’re not too busy). If settling isn’t causing your floorboards to tilt—professionals may be able to level off one side of each board until everything is aligned again. They might also have some additional tips for preventing sloping floors in the future!

Cracks in walls or ceiling

If you notice growing cracks in your walls or ceiling, it can signify foundation problems. Cracks in walls and ceilings are usually caused by the shifting of the soil underneath the home’s foundation. This can cause a significant inconvenience for homeowners because these cracks can become dangerous and lead to other issues if not addressed immediately.

Cracks aren’t always an indication of foundation repair; they could also indicate shifting soil from an earthquake or storm damage. If you notice any cracks appearing in your home after experiencing a natural disaster, you must seek a professional to inspect them immediately.

Doors that do not close properly

If your doors are hard to open or close, this could be an indication of the shifting of your floorboards. You may also notice squeaking when opening or closing a door. An uneven surface causes this sound on either side of the hinges. Finally, suppose there’s a gap at your doors’ bottom (or top) when closed. In that case, this could be due to raised thresholds from non-level foundations.

Cracks in brickwork or stonework

Cracks in brickwork or stonework can be a sign of foundation problems. Your house may have settled unevenly, causing some foundation areas to sink and others to rise. The cracks will show up where there is less support for the walls, such as around windows and doors.

If you have cracks in your wall or floor, it’s essential to get them fixed before they cause more damage. If water can seep into these cracks, it can, unfortunately, lead to mold growth on walls and floors.

Spaces along walls, doors, or windows

The presence of spaces along walls, doors, or windows indicates that the house is not level. Spacing can be caused by several things, including settlement, poor foundation design, or poor construction. These spaces indicate that the house is no longer structurally sound. If you have a space under your doorstep or door frame, it’s time to level your home!

Cracks in drywall, plaster, or floor tiles

If you see cracks in your drywall or plaster, it’s time to act. These aren’t problems that can wait until tomorrow. Problems like these are severe and indicate that your foundation may be unstable. If you don’t fix them as soon as possible, they can lead to mold growth, water damage, and other issues that could cost thousands of dollars in repairs.

Call a professional immediately if you notice cracks in your floor tiles or other materials. Cracks tend to appear slowly over time. If there are already multiple lines forming near each other, things have been going on for quite some time, and now’s not the time for half-measures!

Conclusion

So, there you have it. A quick rundown of some problems that can arise when your property isn’t level and what you should do about it. If you’re concerned about any of these issues, contact Done Right Foundation today! We would be happy to advise you on the next steps!