Home Maintenance Monday 5/5/25: Inspect Your Foundation for any Damage
Your home's foundation is, quite literally, what everything else rests on. Small problems can quickly grow into major structural issues if ignored. Winter freezes have the ability to shift the ground around our foundations, and our foundations can also be effected by periods of rapid plant growth too close to them during the months of spring. (My very own neighborhood has the pleasure of hosting an invasive Japanese Knotweed, which we have been battling with yearly since we moved in.)
This week, I’m covering how to inspect your foundation and when it's time to stop DIY-ing and call in a professional.
🔍 Step-by-Step: How to Inspect Your Foundation
You don't need to be an expert to catch early warning signs. Here’s a quick checklist to walk through:
1. Walk the exterior perimeter of you home.
Look for visible cracks in the concrete, especially stair-step or horizontal ones.
Check for crumbling or flaking areas.
Note any areas where water is pooling near the base—this could mean poor drainage.
2. Check the Interior
Examine basement or crawlspace walls for cracks or bowing.
Look for gaps between walls and floors or ceilings.
Pay attention to any musty smells—these may point to hidden moisture issues.
3. Watch for Warning Signs Inside Your Home
Doors or windows that suddenly stick or won't close properly.
Uneven floors or visible sagging.
New cracks in drywall or above door frames.
🚨 When to Call a Professional
Not all cracks mean disaster—but some definitely do. Here’s when it’s time to bring in an expert:
Cracks wider than ¼ inch, especially horizontal ones.
Diagonal or stair-step cracks in brick or block walls.
Moisture in the basement or signs of mold growth.
Bowing foundation walls or major settling.
Persistent structural shifts, like doors that won’t stay square or large gaps opening up around windows.
Hiring a structural engineer or foundation repair specialist ensures you're getting an accurate diagnosis and a proper fix—not just a temporary patch.
💡 Pro Tip: Stay Proactive
Foundation repairs are most manageable—and affordable—when caught early. Make it a habit to inspect your foundation twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall. If you live in an area with heavy rain or expansive clay soil, consider inspecting even more often.
🧰 Final Thoughts
Your home deserves a solid base—literally! A quick visual inspection can save you thousands down the road. And remember, when in doubt, it’s always worth calling in the professionals. Your peace of mind (and your home's stability) is worth it!
A beautiful home standing solid on it’s base foundation!
Nearby Resources for Foundation Repair:
"Foundation Repair in Portland, Vancouver & Nearby" website resource found at: https://www.johnswaterproofing.com/foundation-repair.html?ppc=googleppc&srvid=4&gaw=nw:s;id:749872261156;kw:foundation%20settling;type:b;ap:;device:;placement:&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21012313589&gbraid=0AAAAADmQXDGG-YkKFHt5XLlrpmsfH2WuV&gclid=Cj0KCQjww-HABhCGARIsALLO6XxMkGzGsY5H_uhLdnnLpbvtpdD65r7qOrOIKBxgsyMLeyIs3AwVEVwaAjUuEALw_wcB