It goes without saying that the foundation of a building is its most important structure, and this is mainly because the foundation is the structure that supports and absorbs all the weight of the building. However, it can at times become weak and crumble due to the pressure. And that is something you do not want, especially if the building is used for residential purposes. The building may begin to shift or settle, and in severe cases, a landslide may even occur. All these endanger the lives of the people in the building. So the sooner you assess and deal with the situation, the better.

How To Tell That The Foundation Is Failing

There are different signs that point to a failing foundation. Some signs like cracking walls, jamming doors and windows, and cracking concrete floors are clear signs of a faulty foundation.

Other signs are not that straightforward, though. One sign, for example, is a curve on the foundation wall. If a foundation is failing, the foundation wall will bulge or curve. The way you position yourself to assess the curve determines whether you will see the curve or not; for a perfect view, stand at the corners of the wall. Observe keenly if the wall is straight; check from one side to the other as well as up and down the wall. If you observe a bulge, it implies that the foundation has shifted, which is a sign of a failing foundation.

Another way to assess a failing foundation is by checking the level of your building floors. Are the floors sagging? If so, then you may be faced with a failing foundation problem. You may think that your eyes can easily spot a sagging floor but that is not the case, especially if the inclination is small. To check the level, you need to determine if the inclination is consistent on each floor of the building and for that, you need to use a level tool. If it is not available, though, a tennis ball or any other round ball will suffice. The ball shouldn't roll when you place it at different locations on the floor.

What Is The Solution

Besides reading the signs of a damaged foundation, there is not much you can do about the solution other than to seek professional assistance. A great idea is to start with a building consultant who can give you a clear assessment of the situation and suggestions regarding the best long-term solution to your problem. 

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