Know the Exterior Warning Signs of Foundation Damage

Foundation damage can wreak havoc on the structural stability of your home and show many different signs of damage on both the inside and outside of your home. While some signs may not be as obvious as others, it's important to know how to recognize the signs to avoid more extensive damage in the future.

If you are worried that your house is showing any exterior warning signs of foundation damage, contact our foundation repair contractors at LRE in Tampa right away for your free inspection!

Why Foundations Settle

Foundation settlement is an issue that no homeowner wants to face, but the reality is that a majority of homes will face some sort of foundation issue at some point. Although your home may be built with the best materials and the highest-quality standards, the soil in the ground is an unavoidable problem for foundation settlement.

Shifting Soils

The main cause for foundation settlement comes from shifting soils in the ground. There are many different soils across the state of Florida, and a majority of them cause foundation issues as they expand and contract.

Changing weather conditions cause the soils to either expand or contract, which causes the soils to shift and become displaced. As the soils become displaced, they become less supportive to the heavy weight of your home above.

As a result, the less supportive soils cause your foundation to settle further into the ground. The foundation settlement can cause many different exterior signs on your home.

Know the Exterior Signs

Foundation settlement doesn't go unnoticed. It results in different exterior warning signs that are not only an eyesore, but are a sign of major foundation issues. At LRE Foundation Repair, we like to educate our customers on the exterior warning signs of foundation issues to help avoid bigger problems in the future. Protecting your foundation can help restore your home's value and prevent bigger structural issues.

Cracks in Stucco

A lot of Florida homes have stucco, which can show signs of foundation issues. Stucco is made primarily of plaster, which can easily crack if it is disturbed. As your home's foundation settles, it puts significant pressure on the structural stability of your home.

As a result, cracked stucco is an exterior warning sign of foundation settlement. Cracks in stucco can come in many different forms and some may be more threatening than others.

Regardless of the crack size, it's important to keep an eye out for these cracks and know when to call in a professional.

Cracked Brick

Another exterior warning sign of foundation damage in your Tampa home is cracked brick. The pressure put on your home from the foundation settlement can cause your exterior brick walls to crack.

If you have brick on the outside of your home, foundation damage can result in horizontal, vertical, or stair-step cracks in your exterior brick wall.

Cracked or Tilting Chimney

Foundation settlement can cause your chimney to either crack or separate from your home.

The settlement of the soils puts pressure on your home and can cause your chimney to settle further than your home, resulting in cracks or separation from your home.

Collapsing Retaining Wall

If you have retaining walls surrounding your Tampa home, they can also be impacted. As the soils in the ground shift, they can put pressure on all surrounding walls.

Exterior retaining walls can be impacted and start to bow or buckle as a result of shifting soils and foundation settlement.

If you notice any of the above exterior warning signs of foundation settlement, contact our team at LRE Foundation Repair as soon as possible to prevent the problem from becoming worse.

LRE Foundation Repair Can Protect Your Home from Exterior Damage

Exterior foundation damage can not only be unsightly, but it can be signs of bigger underlying issues. Our foundation repair contractors at LRE in Tampa know how to identify the warning signs and protect your home against further damage.

If you notice any of these exterior warning signs on your home, contact our foundation repair contractors at LRE in Tampa, Inc. for a free inspection!