A house is only as stable as its base. It can have luxurious finishes and modern appliances, but without a strong foundation, it can pose safety concerns that can potentially put you and your family at risk. 

Foundation problems are dangerous since they can lead to significant issues throughout the rest of the home, including structural damage, mold, water damage, and even pest problems.

For homeowners, it's crucial to know that foundation problems can come with all sorts of warning signs. The earlier you address these issues and have them fixed, the more likely you are to reduce repair costs and avoid serious damage to the rest of your house.

For buyers searching for their dream home, know that issues with the foundation can only be revealed after a home inspection. Many homeowners are often unaware of foundation problems, or else they should’ve disclosed that information to you when you first viewed the home. It’s important to know whether these foundation issues are minor speed bumps or major dealbreakers on your road to homeownership.

Common warning signs of foundation problems on a home:

Small hairline cracks on the foundation and along interior walls are relatively common and are nothing to worry about. They're often just indicators that the property has undergone a period of normal, minor settling. However, if you notice any horizontal cracks, or those that are wider than a quarter of an inch and continue to widen or lengthen over time, this often indicates a more serious issue with the foundation. Worsening cracks can lead to severe structural damage, especially since water or insects can work their way inside the home.

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Moisture and excess humidity, especially during summer, often cause wood to swell. This results in doors and windows that stick when you try to open or close them, or they may not close or latch properly. But if you notice there haven't been any drastic changes in heat or humidity lately and your doors and windows continue to stick year-round, then a foundation problem is more likely the cause. When the foundation settles, shifts, or sinks, it creates an imbalance in the home's structure. This imbalance causes the framing around the doors and windows to shift or bulge slightly. You may also notice the window frames starting to pull away from the surrounding brick.

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Aside from cracks, if you see warped, buckled, or bulged spots in the home's siding, it’s a common indicator that there’s something wrong with the home’s foundation. Any visible gaps between the siding planks or bricks are also a dead giveaway that there's a problem.

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Sagging or uneven floors are not only unsightly but can also pose safety concerns. This happens when the home's foundation shifts or settles, causing the support beams to separate and the walls to become compressed. Likewise, bouncy or spongy floors, particularly if accompanied by popping or creaking, are usual indicators of foundation settlement or moisture-related concerns in the crawl space.

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Water can cause serious problems with your home's foundation, so assessing your property for drainage issues is a great way to identify problems early. After it rains, walk the perimeter of your house to see how the ground drains water. If you notice pooling, you likely have problems with drainage, which can cause major issues for your home’s foundation.

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Bottom line

For homeowners, the best course of action is to seek professional help

Foundation issues, no matter how minor, are serious and should never be ignored. Even if you think of yourself as a skilled DIYer, there's not much you can do with these kinds of issues beyond noting the affected areas and providing the necessary information to a foundation repair specialist. These professionals will then assess the damage to the home and determine if the foundation is at risk of collapse or if it can be repaired.

For buyers, should you buy a home with foundation issues?

Once the home inspection reveals problems with the foundation, it will likely cause a delay with closing. Lenders are generally cautious about homes with foundation issues, so your mortgage application and approval status could also be at risk. Your first call should be to seek advice from your trusted real estate agent on how to proceed. You can be in a good position to negotiate with the seller to pay for repairs. But if the damage is too extensive or the seller refuses to pay out of pocket, the best way to deal with it is to simply walk away and start your home search again.