10 Signs That Your Home Has a Sinking Foundation

Learn the Signs to Identify a Sinking Home Foundation.

Homes are as stable and good as their foundation. But, when the foundation starts to settle, crack, and sink there is a big possibility that it can cause serious damage to your property sooner or later. That’s why having an eye on your foundation is very important. 

When you begin to notice any signs of sinking or damage to the structure, addressing it instantly and taking action is crucial. With any other home repair concern, the longer you wait, the bigger the issue.

Here in this blog, we’ll discuss some common signs of a sinking foundation so that you can recognize the indicators early and take appropriate action to avoid costly repairs later on.

10 Signs That Your Home Has a Sinking Foundation

1. Exterior Wall Cracks

Identifying single or multiple cracks in your walls can indicate that your foundation may not be in the best health. These cracks may appear as different lines (horizontal or vertical), sizes, and even gaps. Small vertical cracks are common and are actually the least concerning cracks that a homeowner can see. 

On the other hand, zigzags & diagonal lines have more problematic concerns. They tend to become wider over time and seeing them on your outdoor walls indicates that the position of your foundation may be uneven, or the overall building weight may not be properly distributed.

In addition, horizontal signs on the walls are also considered dangerous and mainly caused by water damage.

2. Bouncing Floors

Do you notice your floor is bouncy or uneven when you walk across it? Multiple issues, such as structural errors or moisture-related concerns in the crawl space, can cause this. But mostly, a sinking foundation causes these sloping floor problems. 

Foundation sinking happens when the clay soil, specific to the Kansas and Missouri area, around the foundation starts to shift or settle. And then, slowly, it begins to sink downwards into the softer soil below. 

If the issue is not addressed and solved in the early stages, the problem will only worsen and lead to more serious damage.

3. Leaning Chimney

Chimneys are meant to stand tall and straight. However, due to the foundation failing caused by unstable, shifting soil underneath it, chimneys can start leaning in any specific direction. This is unsafe and can be dangerous for homeowners. 

One sign to tell your chimneys is leaning is by looking at placement beside your house. If you see a certain unnatural space between both, it’s a good indication that your chimney might be leaning.

4. Plumbing Problems

Foundation sinking can cause different plumbing problems. When a home’s foundation sinks, certain pressures fall upon the pipes because of the shifting ground, causing misalignment, or even breakage. 

If you notice that the water pressure of your pipes is decreasing or notice gurgling sounds, it can be an indication that your foundation is sinking and shifting from the ground. Don’t ignore these signs and call a professional to help you solve the issue.

5. Uneven Floors

Noticing uneven floors is the easiest sign to tell that your home’s foundation may be sinking. This happens mainly in older homes, specifically on the upstairs floors. 

When the foundation shifts or sinks, the structural alignment of the building can be compromised, which leads to floors sagging or sloping, creating uneven surfaces.

6. Tile Floor Cracks

Noticing your tile floor cracked is never good and often indicates a sinking foundation problem. The foundation can be twisted or shifted because of the irregular soil erosion underneath, and it can put certain pressure on the entire building, including floors. 

And because of that extra pressure, the tile floor tends to crack from here and there. Sometimes the cracks can be small, but sometimes larger.

Whatever the crack size is, it can get bigger and bigger, causing health and safety hazards if not treated early enough. And to fix this issue, you’ll need to fix its root cause first, which is the foundation sinking. You can call any foundation repair service to assess the problem and make the necessary steps.

RELATED: Does a Crack in a Tile Mean There is a Foundation Problem?

7. Wet Crawlspace or Basement

Are you noticing that your crawl space or basement is always wet, damp, or flooded with rainwater during Kansas City's rainy seasons? This can be a sign that you have a sinking foundation that is causing gaps & cracks on the foundation walls, allowing rainwaters to seep into the basement. 

A flooded crawl space or basement can attract pests and rodents and cause mold growth, wood rot, and many other issues if not fixed early. 

8. Drywall Cracks

A sinking or weak foundation can cause sudden drywall cracks or crumbling. The foundation keeps twisting and shifting underneath, putting pressure on the overall structures and walls. Consequently, this pressure causes the cracks to appear on your walls. 

These cracks may start small and mild, but if you don’t do anything about it or don’t take any help, they can be larger and more complex.

9. Drainage Issues

A well-designed and functional drainage is crucial to channeling the waters away, far from your property. If you notice that water is pooling and dripping around your foundation or your basement is flooding while raining, then there is a good indication of drainage issues. Improper drainage can cause water to flow around the foundation, leading to the foundation sinking. 

It is important to clean and maintain the water drainage properly so that no water accumulates and seeps into the foundation. However, if you still notice drainage issues, consider installing downspout extensions. Downspout extensions help properly direct water away from the foundation without pooling around the property. 

10. Sticking Doors & Windows

Another common sign of a sinking foundation is that all your doors and windows are not properly aligned. It can make the placement of the doors and windows uneven, making them sticky every time you try to open or close them. 

In addition, you may also notice that the window frame and door frame are pulling away from the walls, creating gaps between both the frames & walls. 

What to do if your house is sinking?

If you notice any foundation signs that we discussed above, which indicate the foundation is sinking, act now. Avoiding them will only prolong issues, causing more damage, and resulting in a larger expense. Contact PierMagic Foundation Specialists, your Kansas City leading foundation repair and waterproofing experts, to assess your situation and help you solve the issue. 

Remember, not identifying the problem early and not fixing it can cost you a lot in the long run.