Foundations: Things That Look Like Problems, But Aren't

 
 
Oh, my gosh! I've got sticking doors or windows, cracks in my walls inside and out -- it must be a foundation problem. Well, maybe not. Don't call that expensive foundation repair company just yet. There is a whole variety of what engineers call "non-foundation distress" problems in three general categories that look like foundation problems:
 
 

architectural:  primarily cosmetic problems resulting from minor separations in the walls, floors (due to separation from foundation), ceilings, paving, etc.

functional:  affecting the use of the building; examples are doors or windows that stick, leak, will not close, or will not latch, and doors which open or close on their own ("ghost" doors). Some other examples include noticeable floor slopes or wall tilts, tilted countertops, and vertical pavement offsets sufficient to cause tripping.

structural:  affecting the stability of the building. This includes separations or distortions of structural support members, such as studs, columns, beams, foundation, or pavement elements such that the member may no longer support the intended design load.
 
 
The Foundation Performance Association has published a very good chart that lists more than 25 things that may occur in buildings or their foundations that are sometimes incorrectly attributed to foundation movement. The chart suggests more probable causes of the problems, the possible reasons for such problems, and makes repair recommendations. To see the chart, visit FoundationPerformance.org.
 
 
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