7 Signs You May Have Problems With Your Concrete Slab Foundation

­­If you own a home with a slab foundation in an area with heavy clay soils, there are certain things you should keep an eye on with regard to foundation movement. Here are a few signs that something is going wrong.

1. Doors and windows don't close properly.This can be one of the first signs that something weird is going on with your concrete slab foundation. Doors and windows that used to open and close with ease have now become more difficult and noisy to operate.

2. Sloped Floors.

7 Signs You May Have Problems With Your Concrete Slab Foundation

When things are dropped on the floor, they tend to roll down to the same spot. (Even Grandma.)

3. Cracks inside the house often near door jams and window frames.

The thing to watch for is a diagonal crack, often extending from the corner of a door or window frame. This means the framing is being twisted by foundation movement.

4. Nails popping out of drywall.

Could this also be caused by a heavy wind storm. Yes, but you would notice that right away. If over time you are seeing nail heads popping through the skin of the drywall, it could be an indication of a heaving or settling slab foundation.

5. Cracks in the walls outside.

Again, look for diagonal cracks, especially in brickwork. If the width of the cracks expand over time it's another sign of foundation problems.

6. Sections of brick or siding separating from the framing.

This is where vertical cracks come in to play. Do you see separation between sections of siding or where brick and framing meet. The vertical crack may be wider at the top than at the bottom or vice versa. Such cracks are often a sign of movement in the foundation.

7. Leaning chimney.

If the chimney is no longer square with the rest of the house or has the telltale diagonal cracks, this is another sign of foundation movement. (Unless you think maybe Santa caused the damage last year.)

If you have two or more of these signs of foundation problems, it's a good idea to take action before things get worse. One of the best things you can do is to hire an independent professional structural engineer with residential foundation experience to perform an inspection. One that has no financial ties whatsoever to any foundation repair companies. That way you are far more likely to get an unbiased opinion on the condition of your concrete slab foundation.

7 Signs You May Have Problems With Your Concrete Slab Foundation
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Bill Pryce is a Journalism and Mass Communications graduate of New Mexico State University and writes on various topics. Bill's websites include http://www.repairfoundation.net

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