How to Know When a Settling House Gets Scary

You’ve heard settlement in a house is normal and should be expected. But “normal” isn’t always good. So how can you tell when the settling in your home has crossed the line? And how does it happen anyway?

Don’t worry, your home isn’t haunted. But the soil underneath it is alive…or at least active. In fact, your home sits on what’s known as the “active zone” – the soil beneath the surface that’s the most affected by changes in moisture. The active zone varies from a few feet below grade to more than 30 feet down, depending on the area where you live.  As seasons change, Mother Nature’s constant cycles of wet and dry cause the soil in the active zone to expand and contract. And all that movement can compromise your home’s stability.

Picture a new sponge. Like the clay soil in much of Michigan and Indiana, it holds onto water and expands when it gets wet. When it dries, it shrinks. Now imagine what would happen if your house were sitting on top of the sponge. It would rise, settle, and then rise again as if being jostled by an underground sprite. When this happens to the soil, it causes gaps that leave your home unsupported and can lead to serious foundation problems.

Here are five signs it’s time to seek help and vanquish the monster below for good.

Sagging, sloping, or bouncy floors. These annoying symptoms could be the result of sinking and settling or an issue with the floor's support system.

Foundation wall cracks or wall failure. Cracks in your home’s foundation can show up inside the basement or outside. Depending on whether the foundation is constructed of concrete block or poured concrete, the cracks could look like stairsteps, or be horizontal or vertical. You might also notice pushing in at the bottom of the wall or leaning in at the top.

Above-ground cracks. Cracking on your home’s exterior is both unsightly and concerning. Stair-step cracks in block or brick are a common symptom of foundation settlement. So are cracks in the drywall inside your home. They’re frequently spotted extending from the corners of door and window frames or might follow drywall seams. Keep in mind, whether they’re outside or inside, small cracks often grow into big cracks – and bigger usually means more costly to repair.

Problem doors and windows. The weakest part of a wall is where there’s an opening, which is why the areas around doors and windows often display the first signs of a problem. You might experience issues like sticking or jamming, needing to plane or shave down the tops of doors to make them close, or even replacing or moving locks and latching mechanisms to make them work properly. Outside problems can include doors and windows being out of square or separating from the frame or exterior finish. Excess caulking is also a sign that someone tried to conceal larger-than-normal gaps.

Separating chimneys. This is one of the most alarming signs of settlement. Brick chimneys are very heavy and are sometimes built on a separate foundation that’s not connected to the house, which increases the chances they might settle.

If you see any of the signs above, the best thing to do is call Ayers Basement Systems for a free inspection and estimate. We’re foundation repair experts with more than 40 years of experience diagnosing complex home settlement problems. Our patented, industry-leading solutions are guaranteed to permanently stabilize your home. We can also fix garages and retaining walls.

Foundation issues impact your family’s safety, your home’s value, and your peace of mind. Cross your home’s foundation off your list of worries and save the scary stuff for Halloween!