Foundation issues in Florida often arise from its distinctive environmental and geographical factors. Sandy soil and a limestone base can lead to shifting and settling, while heavy rainfall and occasional flooding exacerbate soil erosion and saturation, undermining foundation stability. Additionally, hurricanes and tropical storms pose significant risks. Tree root intrusion and poor construction or drainage practices further contribute to foundation problems. Understanding these Florida-specific challenges is crucial for maintaining a home's structural integrity.
How To Find Out If You Have Foundation Problems
The list of potentially expensive home repairs is long and frightening. House foundation problems top that list for most homeowners, and with good reason. The average cost to fix your foundation ranges between $5,000 and $10,000. It can climb even higher if the problems damage other parts of your home. Knowing how to check for foundation issues is a crucial part of preventive home maintenance, and if there are existing problems, it is pertinent that you contact a foundation repair professional before they get worse.
Identifying cracks in walls, floors and ceilings is important when assessing potential foundation damage. But just because you can’t see a crack in the foundation doesn’t mean one isn’t there – or it isn’t coming. Paranoid yet? Time to put your mind at ease. Here are nine ways to check your home for signs of foundation issues.
Signs You May Need Foundation Repair
Floor & Wall Cracks
Doors and windows can be good indicators of foundation problems.
Gaps appearing and getting wider around your windows and doors. Finding it hard to close (or reopen) your doors or windows, or not being able to lock them.
In more advanced cases, there are more visible leans to door, and door or window frames may begin pulling away from their surrounding walls.
Floor & Wall Cracks
Doors and windows can be good indicators of foundation problems.
Gaps appearing and getting wider around your windows and doors. Finding it hard to close (or reopen) your doors or windows, or not being able to lock them.
In more advanced cases, there are more visible leans to door, and door or window frames may begin pulling away from their surrounding walls.
Unlevel Floors
Doors and windows can be good indicators of foundation problems.
Gaps appearing and getting wider around your windows and doors. Finding it hard to close (or reopen) your doors or windows, or not being able to lock them.
In more advanced cases, there are more visible leans to door, and door or window frames may begin pulling away from their surrounding walls.
Unlevel Floors
Doors and windows can be good indicators of foundation problems.
Gaps appearing and getting wider around your windows and doors. Finding it hard to close (or reopen) your doors or windows, or not being able to lock them.
In more advanced cases, there are more visible leans to door, and door or window frames may begin pulling away from their surrounding walls.
Unaligned Doors & Windows
Doors and windows can be good indicators of foundation problems.
Gaps appearing and getting wider around your windows and doors. Finding it hard to close (or reopen) your doors or windows, or not being able to lock them.
In more advanced cases, there are more visible leans to door, and door or window frames may begin pulling away from their surrounding walls.
Unaligned Doors & Windows
Doors and windows can be good indicators of foundation problems.
Gaps appearing and getting wider around your windows and doors. Finding it hard to close (or reopen) your doors or windows, or not being able to lock them.
In more advanced cases, there are more visible leans to door, and door or window frames may begin pulling away from their surrounding walls.