Signs a Home Needs Foundation Piers

Once someone has invested in their home, the last thing they want to have is foundation troubles. Unfortunately, when not caught early, that’s precisely what can happen. What may begin as a minor issue can become a serious concern quickly. After all, foundation problems are a big deal. But they can also be resolved relatively painlessly when dealt with promptly.

Being on the lookout for problems early on can save time, money, and headaches in the future. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of common signs that a home may need foundation piers.

Piering, or underpinning, involves driving steel legs (or “piers”) underneath a foundation to act as supports. This method is often able to restore a foundation to its original place. At the very least, it will stop it from sinking further.

Homeowners with any of these situations should consider a free evaluation by a foundation expert to see whether foundation piers might be the right option.

Cracks in the drywall

Drywall cracks may not be a big surprise, considering most homeowners associate cracks with a foundation problem. Cracks due to foundation settlement are common in homes with a concrete slab foundation or built with a pier and beam foundation. Small cracks are probably not of significant concern but are at least worth an evaluation. After all, cracks that do require attention can grow rapidly and will need to be addressed quickly.

Cracks on the home’s exterior

Outside cracks are also a concern and maybe a telltale sign that there’s something wrong with a foundation. Cracks in brick or block walls tend to follow mortar joints and, therefore, present a zig-zag pattern. Of course, if the foundation is cracked and sinking vertically, then a homeowner may also notice horizontal cracks across the bricks or blocks as well.

Doors and windows stick

Believe it or not, evidence of a problem with the foundation can start with doors and windows. Stuck and hard-to-open doors and windows, or gaps at the top and bottom, can indicate that a foundation is sinking because the earth around a home expands when wet and shrinks as it dries out. This repeated expansion and contraction can cause a foundation to sink. In turn, it warps the wood framing that supports the doors and windows, making them difficult to open. Foundation piers solve settlement issues and restore a home to its original state so that doors and windows can function correctly.

Gaps between the crown molding and ceiling

Cracks in crown molding or even a gap that has formed between the crown molding and the ceiling also indicate a problem with the foundation. Filling this gap with caulk is a cosmetic solution that won’t address the underlying foundation concern. If there is a foundation problem, installing a steel pier system can resolve it.

Cracks in the tile floor

Cracks in a tile floor are another sign that there might be a foundation problem to address. As the foundation shifts or sinks, it can lead to hairline cracks in a tile floor that will grow longer and wider in time. Even if there isn’t a tile floor and, therefore, no noticeable cracking, the homeowner might feel that the floors are uneven. A pier installation would stabilize the home and make the floors even again.

Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake provide foundation, basement, and crawlspace installation and repair for the greater Baltimore area homeowners.