8 Common Signs of Foundation Damage
Does your home have doors or windows that are hard to open or close? If you are a homeowner with sticking doors and windows, you may have a bigger problem on your hands than you know.
As a home settles and suffers from the effects of time, soil conditions, and other factors, the home’s foundation can be damaged. To identify foundation damage in your own home, there are a few common warning signs for you to know.
The most important thing to understand is that foundation damage can get worse over time and cause major problems throughout the entire home if not corrected. Understanding the warning signs and identifying and fixing foundation damage immediately is an important step in caring for the long-term health of your home.

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How to Identify Foundation Problems In Your Home
Whether you own your home or are looking to purchase one, understanding how to identify the common early warning signs of foundation damage can be helpful. When you buy a home, a professional inspection is part of the buying process. Inspecting the home’s foundation is an important part of understanding how much the home is worth. If you haven’t had your own home’s foundation inspected recently, here are a few ways to spot foundation issues on your own.
The eight common indicators of foundation damage in a home are:
- Cracking along floors and up walls, especially near windows and doors
- Doors and windows that are hard to open and close
- Growing gaps between windows and doors that can attract moisture and pests
- Cracking, tilting, or leaning chimney
- Slanting or sagging floors and bowing basement walls
- Growing mold, mildew, or rot in the home’s basement or crawl space with a musty smell
- Damaged porch or stoop
- Unexplained water damage in the home
What Causes Foundation Damage?
Your foundation can sustain damage for many reasons, but the three main causes of foundation issues in a home are settlement, heave, and stem wall deterioration. Let’s take a look at each one:
Foundation Settlement

All buildings, including single-family homes, settle into the ground they are built on over time. What can change from place to place and home to home is the amount of settlement that occurs and how it affects the home’s foundation. From weather to changing soil conditions, many of the factors impacting the health of a home’s foundation are out of our control.
Foundation Heave
Foundation heave is just the opposite of foundation settlement. As soil levels shrink in one place, they rise in others. Foundation heave is caused by rising soil levels under the home, which can cause cracking and other damages, attracting moisture and pests.
Stem Wall Deterioration
The stem walls of a home are built on top of its concrete foundation and provide the base for the rest of the structure. Damage to the foundation and the stem walls attached to it can cause cracks and other damage throughout the home because of this, from sloping floors to bowing walls and broken chimneys.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Foundation?
In Michigan and across the country, the amount of repair costs needed to fix a damaged foundation varies. How big the problem is and how long it has been occurring are two main indicators of the cost, as well as where the home is located. For example, the average cost across the country for small foundation repairs is $3,500 according to Inch Calculator. More advanced repairs cost an average of $10,000 nationwide. For those living in cities, the average cost can be greater. Averages per city vary from $14,000 in Virginia Beach, VA, to $11,000 in Raleigh, NC, and $14,500 in Denver, CO.
What to Look for When Purchasing a New Home
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or purchasing a second home, identifying and fixing problems with the home’s foundation is an important part of homeownership. It’s important to know that foundation problems can occur in all types of homes in all areas of the country. The age of the home isn’t the only factor, either. Even new homes can be impacted by foundation heave or settlement if the soil conditions are wrong or other external events affect the home.
When purchasing a home, request any warranty or other information about repairs that occurred inside the home. This will help protect your investment, especially if costly repairs have already been done. If a home inspector identifies foundation damage, consider asking for a reduction in the price of the home to help pay for immediate repairs. Even a small crack in the foundation can lead to big problems later on, so fixing foundation issues quickly is always best.
Contact FSM for Trusted Foundation Repair
For help identifying and fixing foundation problems in your home, trust the experts at Foundation Systems of Michigan. Our highly trained team has been repairing and protecting homes throughout Michigan and northwest Ohio for more than 15 years. Homeowners know they can rely on us for thorough evaluations, sound advice, and permanent foundation repairs.
To get started with creating a safer home, contact us today to schedule a free inspection. We’ll complete a comprehensive assessment of your home and its foundation and provide a no-obligation estimate for repairs tailored to your specific needs. You’ll get permanent repairs you can trust and peace of mind when you work with FSM.
FAQs
The cost for foundation repairs varies based on multiple elements, including the severity of damage and the products employed. For a precise quote, reach out to Foundation Systems of Michigan. We offer free inspections and estimates, transparent cost structures, and versatile payment options.
Typically, yes, it is possible to stay in your home. However, the scope of necessary repairs might necessitate temporary relocation. Rest assured, a Foundation Systems of Michigan inspector will assist you every step of the way and provide optimal advice tailored to your situation.
Foundation concerns should never be brushed off; they necessitate prompt attention and repair. Even minor cracks may indicate deeper structural concerns. If you spot any issues, consult foundation repair specialists like Foundation Systems of Michigan for a free inspection and repair quote.
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