10 Signs of Structural Damage in Your Home
Don’t ignore these red flags when it comes to your home
Highlights
Structural damage often causes small changes in your home.
Cracks of any kind may indicate a structural issue.
A structural engineer can assess the situation and make recommendations.
Your home is your refuge and your biggest investment, so keeping it in good shape is a high priority. Some problems, however, indicate that more than regular maintenance might be needed in order to keep your home structurally sound. Learn to recognize the signs of structural damage that indicate you may have a serious structural issue that you need to address.
1. Foundation Cracks
Your home’s foundation is a critical component of the building’s stability, and foundation issues can often lead to large, costly repairs. Foundation cracks are one of the most common signs of structural damage, but not all cracks indicate serious problems, or are a sign that your house will collapse.
As a house settles, it’s not unusual for foundations to develop small cracks, but larger cracks, horizontal cracks, or cracks that allow water to enter the foundation should all be taken seriously. A home inspection from a structural engineer can help you determine whether a foundation crack indicates a problem that needs to be fixed.
2. Wall and Ceiling Cracks
Visible cracks in your drywall can be a red flag that something is structurally amiss. Small hairline cracks are often nothing to worry about, but larger cracks, cracks that are growing in size, and cracks that spread from ceilings to walls or vice versa can signal that the pressure being exerted in that area has changed.
3. Window Cracks
A cracked window is not always a sign of structural damage, as window glass is fragile and can crack for any number of reasons, like impact damage or extreme temperature changes. In some cases, though, a cracked window may be a sign that you should check if your home has structural issues that need to be addressed. Investigate further if:
The crack is in a basement window
The crack runs horizontally across the window
Replacement windows crack in the same way the original window did
4. Sticking Windows and Doors
Issues with windows and doors, particularly sticking when you open and close them, can be an indication that something is structurally amiss in your home. Windows and doors often stick due to humidity, but if a previously functioning window or door is suddenly difficult to open or close, it’s worth following up on, as it may indicate cracks in the wall or uneven floors.
5. Bouncy Floors
Your home’s floors should feel solid and supportive as you walk across them. Floors that feel spongy or bouncy can be a red flag that something is wrong underneath them. A bouncy floor may indicate joist problems, damaged subflooring, or foundation issues. Any changes to how your flooring feels should be looked into in case they’re the result of structural damage.
6. Sloping Floors
Formerly level floors that are sloping can be a sign of a dramatic foundation shift or damaged joists or subfloor. Floors that are no longer level should be investigated to see if the issue is normal house settling, improperly installed flooring, or something more serious.
7. Roof Leaks
A leaky roof can not only cause serious water damage to your home, but it may be an indication of a larger structural problem. Roofs can leak for a number of reasons, including shifting of your home’s frame, damage from weather, or lack of maintenance. Always look into roof leaks as soon as you’re aware of them in order to protect your home from further damage.
8. Crumbling Concrete
Crumbling concrete often occurs due to water intrusion, so if you notice your foundation is crumbling in spots, it may be a clear sign that you have a water problem. You may be able to remedy the issue by sealing or re-sealing the foundation, but any problems that affect your foundation involving water should be taken seriously.
9. Cracked or Crooked Chimney
Chimneys can also show signs of structural damage if you know what to look for. Cracks in the chimney, or a chimney that no longer sits level, can be a clear sign that your foundation is shifting and pressure is being placed on the chimney, causing damage.
10. Peeling or Bubbling Paint
Suddenly finding flaws in your paint can let you know that something is happening in or behind your walls. Changes to paint can be caused by water problems, such as a plumbing leak behind the wall, moisture intrusion from a roof leak, or termite activity that creates moisture within the nest. All of these issues can cause serious and costly damage to your home, so always look for the source of paint problems.
What to Do if You Discover Structural Damage
If you notice any of the above signs of structural damage, you want to hire a structural engineer to investigate the problem and determine whether or not your issue needs to be fixed. The cost of a structural engineer is well worth it, as structural damage can be extremely serious and expensive to fix, and it’s always better to remedy a problem as early as possible before it has a chance to get worse.
A local structural engineer will be able to assess the extent of the problem and make recommendations about the best way to proceed in order to protect your investment and keep your home safe for everyone.