Over time, the ground under your home’s foundation can settle or erode. When that happens, your home’s structure may be weakened. A home in this condition needs more than cosmetic crack repair; it needs foundation piering to stabilize the structure. If you aren’t sure whether your home needs this service, look for these signs of foundation damage.

When to Schedule Foundation Repair

1. Cracks

Cracks caused by foundation damage have specific characteristics which set them apart from other possible causes. You’ll see stair-shaped cracks in brick walls or separation cracks where walls, floors, and ceilings meet, as well as fissures in solid surfaces such as drywall and concrete.

2. Sticking or Gappy Windows & Doors

​​​​​​​Any change in the way that windows and doors fit in their frames is an indication of shifting walls. Watch for unusually wide gaps, doors and windows which become wedged shut, or frames which look crooked.

3. ​​​​​​​Sloped Floors

Any well-constructed floor should be level at the beginning of its life. However, if one side of your foundation sinks, this will create a slanted floor inside. You may also see the floor crack, with one side lying at a different angle than the other. Foundation piering will help prevent this slant from growing worse.

4. ​​​​​​​Pooling Water

Even if unevenness in your floor or basement is not apparent to the eye, it can be revealed by water gathering at the lowest points. Water can also be an indicator if it pools around the exterior of your house, as normally your yard should be graded to drain water away.

​​​​​​​5. Bowed or Leaning Walls

If there is a visible curve or slant to your walls, they are likely not receiving the support they need form the foundation. In addition to foundation piering, you should arrange a safety inspection to assess the state of the structure and identify any areas which are bearing a disproportionate amount of weight.

If you need reliable basement waterproofing for your home, look no further than Jaco Waterproofing in Westfield, IN. Renowned as a leading basement and foundation repair contractor in the Cincinnati and Dayton, OH, areas with over 40 years in business, they specialize in both residential and commercial waterproofing and repair. To have a professional technician evaluate your specific challenges, call today at (317) 721-9379 for Indianapolis or (513) 738-0084 to reach their Cincinnati and Dayton, OH, location. Visit their website for more information.