Homeowners have a lot of responsibility to keep up with their homes. We usually take care of the look of our house and carry out routine maintenance on our house. One of the most worrying things we need to keep an eye on is the foundation of our homes. The foundation of your houses helps make our home safe.
If the foundation of your home is not properly inspected or serviced over time, it can have disastrous consequences. You can always hire a specialist to help you inspect your foundation if you are unsure of what to look for. Here are some signs that the foundation of your house may be leaking.
1) Visible cracks
One of the most noticeable signs that there may be a leak or problem with the foundation of your home is when you notice cracks or cracks in the foundation of your home. If you notice cracks in different directions and those that are larger than ⅛ inches, you should seek help immediately. Experts like Evans Leak Detection can inspect your home and use a variety of leak detection techniques to determine if there is a potential leak in your home. Cracks are often a sign that the foundation has shifted and is unstable.
You may see cracks inside or outside the house. If you have a basement, cracks may appear on the inner walls. You can also see them on the outside walls on the first floor, depending on the type of construction used for your house.
2) Puddles on the floor
If you notice puddles in your basement, you may have a problem with the foundation of the house. If the foundation of the house lets water and moisture through, it could be a serious sign that something is wrong. If you see puddles on the floor or on wet walls, it is often a sign that the foundation of your house is leaking. This common sign is an early method to assess leak detection in your home's foundations. Since the water has to go somewhere, it is likely to collect as a puddle on the surface of your floor.
One of the main reasons why there may be puddles on your floors is improper drainage. If your home doesn't drain the water properly, you can get water into your home. If the water is not drained properly from your home, the floor will absorb the excess moisture. When the floor can no longer absorb moisture, it drains the water wherever it can and can get into your home. If the floor around your house is too damp to absorb the moisture, an unstable foundation is created that should be examined by a professional.
3) Articulated floors
If you notice wrinkled floors in your hardwood, vinyl or laminate flooring, this can be a sign of a serious leak in the foundation of your home. Water damage is the main reason why you may notice raised floors, as moisture is an enemy of most flooring. While there can be many different reasons for moisture in the house, the most serious reason to worry about is a leak in the foundation of the house.
If the floor is badly kinked and you notice this in several areas of the house, you may want to have your house inspected to make sure the foundation is not leaking. The hinged floors could also be due to poor installation, uncleaned spills and even additional moisture in the house.
4) Glue windows and doors
If you notice a window or door suddenly and accidentally sticking, it can be a sign of leaks in the foundation of your house. If there are leaks, the foundation shifts and these shifts can change the structure of the house. When the structure begins to shift, the load on the house can change, making it difficult to open some doors or windows. If you notice a door or window that is suddenly difficult to open, you should examine the house for other signs of leakage.
5) Uneven floors
Another common sign that could be due to a leak in the foundation of your home is uneven floors. Your floors can be uneven in a single room or in the entire house. To test if your floors are uneven, you can use a ball and check if it rolls when it is placed on the floor. This method is ideal for hard floors. If you have carpets, you may need to use a level to determine if the floors appear flat or uneven. If the foundation is leaking, it's usually because the floor around the house contains too much moisture. This causes the foundation to move and the pressure of the house to shift. The changing loads can lead to uneven floors.
6) mold or mildew
Another common sign that can indicate a leak in the foundation of your home is the appearance of mold or mildew. Mold or mildew can grow under your floor, behind your walls and in other areas hidden from the naked eye. Some people may see the mold or mildew in their homes, while others may only be able to smell it. When you start to smell mold or mildew, which often smells musty, you should look for other signs of a leak.
7) Randomly high water bills
If you have a foundation or slab leak due to your own piping, the most common way to determine this is by accidentally high water bills. Most of us have normal water bills that can change a few dollars every month. For the most part, our water bills remain constant since we use the same amount of water all year round. Some of us may use more when we water flowers or fill a pool in the warmer months. However, for the most part, you can predict how high your water bill will be each month, especially if you compare it to the previous year. If you notice a very high water bill for a month and have no reason for it, you may have a leak in your pipes and foundations.
8) Rotten wood
Another common sign of a leak in the foundation of your home is rotten wood. If water gets into the house due to a leak, it has to go somewhere. It can collect in puddles on the floor or plunge into the surrounding wood. If wood gets wet again and again, it starts to rot. If you notice rotten wood, this can be a serious problem. Rotten wood not only indicates a possible foundation leak, but can also indicate a problem with your foundation.
Foundation leaks are a serious problem that should be handled with extreme caution and care. You should conduct routine inspections of all areas of your home to determine these early warning signs. If you notice any of these signs, you should immediately seek professional help. Keeping your foundation in good condition is the best way to protect you, your family, and your home investment. Letting a foundation run out too long can do more damage, cost a lot more money, and possibly hurt you and your loved ones.
