A Step in Time Structural Engineers
When Is the Time to Call for a Structural Foundation Assessment?
The foundation of your home is more than steel and concrete; it is the base that holds every wall, beam, and corner of your home in place. When it starts to fail, the warning signs may appear to be minor, a hairline crack, a door that won’t close properly, or water where it shouldn’t be. Numerous homeowners in Virginia wave off these problems, hoping they’ll pass. But in reality, brushing aside these warning signals may result in costly repairs or even make your home an unsafe place for your family.
While no homeowner would ever want to put their house at risk of structural damage, many of them fail to address the issues mainly because they don’t know when to call a professional structural engineer for foundation inspections.
Here at A Step in Time Structural Engineering, we’ve guided hundreds of homeowners via structural foundation evaluations. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the warning signs, things you shouldn’t do, and when to call your local structural foundation evaluation contractor.
Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
If you see any of the following, it might be time to have a professional engineer come for a structural inspection, since early identification of issues can save your house from major structural damage.
1. Cracks within walls, floors, or foundation
Hairline cracks are normal, but horizontal cracks over ¼ inch or that are open-ended are warning signs. They can signify moving soil or collapsing support under your foundation.
2. Sticking Doors and Windows
When doors no longer fit or windows stick when you attempt to open them, your foundation has moved. It’s usually one of the first visible warning signs.
3. Sloping or Uneven Floors
When floors begin to slope, bounce, or become uneven, it could be a sign that your foundation is settling unevenly. If not addressed on time, this can lead to extreme structural instability.
4. Water Intrusion and Basement Leaks
Water gathering near your foundation or leaks in your basement can compromise the structure over time. In Virginia’s humid climate, water is one of the primary reasons for foundational problems.
5. Bowing or Leaning Walls
Walls that are bowed inward or outward tend to indicate pressure of the soil against the foundation. This should be addressed immediately by a professional.
6. Cracks Between Walls and Floors or Ceilings
When you begin to notice daylight through cracks or openings between walls and ceilings, your foundation is shifting.
Important to note: Small cracks can appear innocuous, but when accompanied by sticking doors or water penetration, they are indicators of a much more significant issue.
And for our dear DIY experts, a few things require experts to be involved. If you think you can fill the crack in the wall and you don’t need a foundation assessment of your home from a professional structural engineer, make sure you read the following section before making a final decision.
Things Not to Do After Identifying These Warning Signs
Some homeowners attempt quick repairs that are helpful-looking but actually end up doing more harm than good. When you see signs of foundation issues, don’t:
1. Cover over cracks with plaster or caulk without determining the cause. This would be temporary, not a permanent solution.
2. Make temporary plumbing repairs if there is water intrusion. The actual issue could be hidden in structure of the home, not plumbing.
3. Install cosmetic panelling or flooring over uneven floors. Hiding the issue won’t prevent foundation movement.
4. Dismiss initial signs, hoping they’ll stabilise, when in most instances, they’ve worsened after some time.
5. Quick fix repairs might save time today, but usually end up costing more to fix tomorrow.
What Homeowners in Virginia Should Do
When structural problems start showing, the first and most crucial action is to act purposefully and bring the appropriate professionals on board. Here’s what you need to do (by yourself):
1. Document What You See
Shoot photographs of cracks, gaps, leaks, or jammed doors. Monitor whether they get worse over time.
2. Avoid DIY Structural Repairs
Painting or gardening is acceptable as a DIY project. But foundation issues need professional inspection because a little negligence in the work can nullify warranties, insurance coverage, or even lead to further damage.
3. Hire a Licensed Professional Engineer
This is the most important step. Only a licensed structural engineer can ascertain the underlying cause of the issue. At A Step in Time Structural Engineering, our structural engineers, led by Raymond Gessner, perform the best structural foundation inspections that involve:
● Careful examination of observable signs (cracks, bowing, leaks).
● Soil and drainage assessment.
● Repair recommendations with technical support.
● State-sealed reports usable for insurance or real estate purposes.
4. Act Wisely
You need not wait until extensive damage is done. Call for a structural foundation inspection when:
● Cracks are over ¼ inch or enlarge over time.
● Water leaks continue after simple repairs.
● Doors/windows are suddenly out of alignment.
● You intend to purchase or sell a home(that already has a structure problem).
Why Professional Evaluations Are Important
Selecting a structural foundation evaluation contractor is not solely about repairs; it’s about having the facts. And because of this, our residential structural evaluation services give homeowners:
● Peace of mind in knowing the true source of the problem.
● Documentation for insurance claims in the event of storm- or water-related damage.
● Advice on affordable repairs rather than temporary patches.
● Conformity to Virginia building codes and safety regulations.
Our founder, Ray Gessner, is a PE (Licensed Professional Engineer) with decades of structural engineering experience. With several trade licenses and engineering licenses in Virginia and other states, he guarantees that every evaluation is accurate, sound, and defendable.
Best Professional Structural Engineer for Foundation Assessment
Your foundation is the most critical aspect of your home’s worth and safety. It is easy to ignore small leaks and cracks, thinking they don’t matter, but they are usually precursors to serious structural problems. Rather than patching them up temporarily, act.
At A Step in Time Structural Engineering, we offer structural foundation examinations close to you in Virginia that are more than just surface inspections. Our state-sealed reports provide you with evidence that you can rely on for repairs, insurance, or simply peace of mind.
Don’t wait for cracks to propagate. Book your residential structural inspection today with A Step in Time Structural Engineering. Call (848)-467-7328 to book our professional foundation assessment service.
Raymond Gessner
Ray’s academic background is firmly rooted in engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech in 1991, followed by a Master of Engineering degree from Old Dominion University in 1998. His technical expertise was further solidified when he obtained his Professional Engineering (P.E.) license in 1999.