7 Warning Signs You Have Foundation Settlement
Foundation issues can creep up quietly—but the longer they go unchecked, the worse (and more expensive) the damage can get. At Perma Jack of St. Louis, we believe in educating homeowners about what to watch for. If you’re seeing cracks in your walls or doors that don’t close properly, you could be dealing with foundation settlement.
In this article, we’ll break down the 7 most common signs of foundation settlement, explain what causes them, and help you understand when to call in the professionals.
What Is Foundation Settlement?
Foundation settlement occurs when the soil beneath your home shifts, compresses, or washes out—causing your foundation to sink or become uneven. This movement can lead to significant structural issues if not corrected early.
Warning Signs
1. Stair-Step Cracks in Brick or Block Walls
One of the most visible indicators of foundation settlement is stair-step cracking along exterior brick or block walls. These cracks often follow the mortar joints in a zigzag pattern and typically appear near corners or window openings.
Why it matters: Stair-step cracks show that different sections of the foundation are moving independently—an early red flag of differential settlement.
2. Vertical Cracks in Basement Walls
Cracks that run vertically (or at a slight diagonal) through basement or crawl space walls can signal uneven foundation movement. While some hairline cracks are normal as concrete cures, wider or growing cracks are not.
Pro Tip: Measure the width over time. If it’s growing, it’s not a cosmetic issue—it’s a structural one.
3. Doors and Windows That Stick or Don’t Latch
If your doors or windows used to open smoothly but now stick, drag, or don’t lock properly, it may not be the hardware—it could be the foundation. As the home shifts, it distorts door and window frames.
Common sign: You may see gaps at the top or bottom corners of the frame, especially on one side.
4. Sloping or Uneven Floors
Have you noticed that your floors seem to slope, bounce, or feel uneven when you walk across them? That’s often a result of one portion of the foundation settling lower than the rest.
Warning: Significant sloping can lead to interior wall cracking, squeaky floors, and difficulty placing furniture.
5. Cracks in Drywall or Plaster
Interior cracks—especially above doors and windows or where walls meet ceilings—are a telltale sign of foundation movement. These cracks may start small but can widen quickly as the house shifts.
Don’t ignore: Repainting won’t fix the underlying problem if the foundation is moving.
6. Chimney Leaning Away from the House
Chimneys are heavy and often sit on separate footings. If the soil beneath the chimney settles differently than the rest of the house, the chimney may begin to lean or separate.
Serious risk: A leaning chimney could collapse if not stabilized with professional underpinning or helical piers.
7. Gaps Around Exterior Doors or Garage
Settlement often causes your home’s framing to shift, which leads to visible gaps around your garage doors or exterior doors. You might also notice that these doors don’t close flush or hang unevenly.
Look for: Light shining through gaps or weatherstripping not making contact.
Why These Signs Matter
Ignoring foundation problems won’t make them go away—in fact, they tend to get worse (and more expensive) over time. If left unresolved, foundation settlement can:
- Lower your home’s value
- Jeopardize structural integrity
- Cause plumbing and utility issues
- Lead to safety hazards
How Perma Jack of St. Louis Can Help
We specialize in foundation settlement repair throughout the St. Louis metro area. Our expert team uses trusted, engineer-backed methods like:
- Steel push piers
- Helical pier systems
- Underpinning and structural stabilization
Whether your home is brick, block, or poured concrete—we can assess the damage and recommend the right fix. All of our work is backed by warranty options and performed by trained professionals who understand local soil conditions.
Think You’re Seeing the Signs? Let’s Talk.
If one or more of these warning signs sound familiar, don’t wait. Schedule a free evaluation with the experts at Perma Jack of St. Louis. We’ll take the time to assess your foundation, answer your questions, and recommend the best long-term solution for your home. Contact our team today to schedule your foundation inspection.