Foundation Inspection Checklist Template

Bowing walls

Bowing walls are clear signs that your foundation is weakening. When foundations weaken, the load distribution becomes unbalanced. As a result, some of the force is transmitted unto the walls, but unlike foundation structures, those walls that aren’t designed to distribute loads tend to warp and bow. We must regularly monitor the deflection of bowing walls. Approaching any major changes with criticality is the best approach to mitigate it from escalating to something more serious.

Horizontal or vertical cracks in your foundation

This is the clearest sign that there is a problem with your foundation. However, it is important to distinguish which kinds of cracks indicate critical structural failure. Having the knowledge of these cracks helps you provide the right strategy on how to go about them. Here are the most common types of cracks found in foundation walls.

• Hairline cracks: These are often harmless. These vertical cracks are usually 1/8 of an inch wide, which typically develops after concrete dries off or cures.
• Vertical Cracks: These vertical or diagonal cracks usually appear wide in one area and thin out as they spread. They are about 1/4 of an inch wide and may indicate that a part of the foundation is sinking unevenly.
• Stair-step Cracks: These cracks develop because of a significant differential settlement in the foundation. This means that there is more movement in one part of the foundation, which creates an imbalance. We should approach these cracks with caution and closely monitor them. Once these cracks widen and spread through many levels, they will weaken the whole structure and lead to structural failure.
• Horizontal Cracks: These are the most dangerous cracks that establishments should take notice of. Horizontal cracks appear because lateral pressure from the soil pushes against the foundation. When this phenomenon happens, your wall starts to bulge or curve inward. This crack is a clear sign that there is an impending structural failure.

Uneven floors, doors and walls

Doors not closing properly, floors bulging or sinking, and walls warping. These are signs that there is settling in your foundation. The soil where your foundation sits may have undergone changes. It might have changed its moisture content, eroded, or expanded, which led to the problems mentioned formerly.

Water damage

Water causes many problems that might weaken your foundation. It can alter the composition of the soil where your foundation sits; it seeps into the pores of concrete, leading to corrosion; and it attracts mold, wood rot, and pests to the foundation. Inspectors must ensure they check soil moisture and look for signs of dampness on the foundation.