A strong foundation is essential for any building or structure. If you purchase a building or begin a construction project without a sturdy base, it could lead to major costs down the road as well as safety issues. Concrete scanning or ground penetrating radar technology can help you identify potential obstructions or defects in existing foundations, but it helps to first know some of the signs that may indicate the need for such a service.

How to Tell If a Building Has Foundation Issues

1. Vertical Cracks

When a foundation is not solid, it may not be able to support every part of the house or building evenly, which can lead some parts of the structure to split away. While any interior or exterior cracks may be concerning, the ones that tend to indicate foundation damage run vertically, sometimes in a zigzag pattern. They can appear inside or outside the building, and may be especially prevalent above doors or windows.

2. Bowing Walls & Floors

If the building has a basement or crawl space, foundation problems may make it difficult for the walls to hold up the rest of the building. Pressure from the outside walls may cause the interior ones to bow, or could even lead to a sagging floor in the crawl space or the bottom of the building.

3. Stuck Windows & Doors

When the structure of a building isn’t stable, the framing elements can start to sag or warp, particularly those of the windows and doors. If you notice the windows and doors in a building jam often or don’t open and close smoothly, you may want to look into using concrete scanning technology. However, if these issues only occur during major temperature shifts, they could be a result of the frames expanding and contracting.

If you suspect any foundation problems in your building, concrete scanning technology from Haggith’s Structural Scan & Inspection in Honolulu, HI, will help you get to the bottom of it. Serving the entire island of Oahu, the company’s concrete scanning and GPR equipment helps building managers or homeowners identify construction issues, find utilities, or inspect the structure of a property without major disruptions. To schedule an inspection, contact the company online or call (808) 239-4330.