What people keep running into with foundation
Complaints tagged foundation, each raised by more than one person. One-off posts are not included.
11 recurring problems · 66 people · 9 forums we read
Raised more than once
Most people first.
- 18Water keeps getting in the house during heavy rainHeavy rain overwhelms existing doors, garage thresholds, and drains, allowing water to pool inside the living spaces and garage. This sudden flooding forces residents to constantly manage overflowing entry points and deal with moisture damage from structural vulnerabilities.
- 10Is a basement wall crack structural or just cosmetic?Most small cracks result from minor concrete settling, but vertical cracks accompanied by wall bowing indicate active shifting that threatens structural integrity. Missing these signs prevents homeowners from catching foundation failures early, leaving them vulnerable to severe structural damage and costly repairs.
- 8How to stop water pooling against the house from sinking concreteCracked and sunken pavement slabs redirect heavy rain directly toward the foundation, threatening water damage before winter. Fixing or replacing these slabs is necessary to redirect runoff away from the house and prevent pooling against the building.
- 7Unexplained holes or damage inside the houseUnexplained holes or damage can appear suddenly in hidden areas like closets or crawlspaces, leaving homeowners unsure whether to seal them up or investigate further. This uncertainty triggers immediate panic about structural integrity or hidden pests, preventing people from feeling safe or knowing the correct next step to take.
- 4Is minor up and down movement in LVP flooring normal?Floating luxury vinyl plank flooring naturally has a slight amount of vertical play because it is not glued down, but snapping noises or developing gaps indicate subfloor unevenness or improper installation clearance. This uncertainty leaves homeowners unable to tell whether minor flex will cause long-term damage or if they need to contact their installer.
- 4Why are there big soil gaps around my foundation?Clay soil shrinks and pulls away from foundations during hot weather, creating large hand-sized gaps that can lead to structural shifting and cracked tiles inside the home. Homeowners are left uncertain whether to immediately fill these trenches with soil or sand, or wait until the ground stops moving before attempting a fix.
- 4What is this random dripping exterior pipe on my house?An unidentified exterior pipe dripping against the foundation wall can indicate a plumbing leak or groundwater discharge, leaving homeowners unable to determine if the issue requires urgent repair or will cause structural damage. This uncertainty often leads to moisture spreading to interior areas like the vanity, making it difficult to assess the actual source or severity of the problem.
- 3Should I buy a house with conflicting roof damage reports?Getting mixed assessments from contractors makes it difficult to know whether to walk away or proceed with a purchase. This uncertainty leaves buyers unsure if they are making a costly mistake or needlessly passing on a good deal.
- 3How to permanently seal an animal burrow near a foundationAnimals like chipmunks and rats dig burrows near foundations that channel water inward and provide entry points under the house. Quick fixes like steel wool and concrete fail because pests simply tunnel underneath them. A permanent seal requires addressing both the void and the exterior access route to stop water infiltration and re-entry.
- 3Horizontal drywall crack and stuck doorHorizontal drywall cracks extending from door frames combined with doors that stick point to structural shifting or foundational movement. Ignoring these signs can lead to worsening damage that requires professional inspection and costly repairs.
- 2Who to call for exterior stucco cracking near roof and foundation?Stucco cracking can stem from simple surface-level base coat issues or point toward underlying roof leaks and serious structural shifts. Figuring out whether you need a roofer, a structural engineer, or a dedicated stucco specialist prevents you from paying for the wrong repairs or missing critical damage.
Comes up alongside
Topics that keep appearing on the same problems — not topics with similar names.