How to Diagnose Foundation Problems

Cracks in Walls or Floors

Not all cracks are created equal. If you spot a small hairline crack, your house might be settling naturally.

But if you're seeing vertical, horizontal, or stair-step cracks, you could have a bigger issue on your hands:

• Vertical cracks: These are often due to normal settling but are worth keeping an eye on, especially if they grow.
• Horizontal cracks: These are a red flag that your walls might be bowing under soil pressure.
• Stair-step cracks: Found along mortar lines in brick walls; these usually point to foundation shifting.

Sloping or Uneven Floors

If you've ever noticed a ball rolling across the floor on its own, you might have uneven floors. These slopes are usually caused by moisture messing with the soil under your home, leading to shifts in the foundation. Other culprits include deteriorating floor joists or supports in crawl spaces.

Sloping floors can signal that your home's structural support is struggling to do its job.

Sticking Doors and Windows

A door or window that won't budge is often a clue that your foundation has shifted. This sticking happens because the frames get misaligned as the foundation settles or tilts unevenly.

The culprits often include:

• Soil shrinkage or expansion: Happening because of fluctuating moisture levels.
• Excess humidity: Weakening crawl space supports or causing the wood to swell.
• Drainage issues: Allowing water to pool around the foundation, leading to uneven settling.

Bowing or Leaning Walls

When your basement walls start bowing or tilting inward, it's a sign they're being pushed from the outside. The heavy clay soil around Knoxville homes can cause a lot of pressure after heavy rain. If this happens, you'll want to address it quickly before the wall's structural integrity worsens.

Musty or Moldy Smells

That damp, musty odor in your basement or crawl space is likely a sign of water intrusion. Persistent moisture can lead to mold growth.

If you're catching whiffs of this smell, check for leaks, standing water, or condensation. Mold stinks and can damage your home and impact your health.

Basement Water Leaks or Pooling Water

Water where it doesn't belong is a big red flag for foundation trouble. You might notice water pooling after heavy rain or spots where the basement floor always seems damp.

Common causes include:

• Cracks in the foundation that let water seep in.
• Poor drainage outside the home that allows water to collect around the foundation.
• Grading issues or clogged gutters that force water toward your home instead of away from it.