General Contractor Liability: Is Your Foundation Settling?

Some amount of settling is to be expected in any home, especially after many years. If you are noticing signs that your foundation is settling soon after new construction, or if these signs are indicating a severe problem with your home, it may be time to consider the cause.

Common Reasons for Foundation Settling

Many factors contribute to a home’s foundation settling over time. The soil beneath the home can shrink or swell based on conditions both above and below ground. This includes water, frost and shocks from earthquakes. Human activity like mining or the construction of other nearby homes should be considered as well.

There are other causes of settling that should be ruled out as possibilities. One is that the home was built in an area that wasn’t suitable. The ground may not support the structure, especially over time. Another is that the fill soil used to level the property for the foundation wasn’t properly compacted. Both of these can cause severe settling and it may not take long for the settling to occur.

5 Signs of a Foundation Settling

How do you know if your foundation is settling? If you don’t have a basement, you may not be able to see any of the structures under your home. However, there are signs that any homeowner should be able to detect:

• Windows and doors are sticking, in either the open or closed position
• The trim around doors and windows is pulling away from the wall
• Windows and doors have large and uneven gaps
• There are vertical cracks noticeable in the interior walls
• Block walls have “step cracks” that follow the mortar joints

While most home damages caused by foundation settling are due to natural changes in the environment, severe damages should be assessed by a home inspector. If it’s found that contractor negligence may have played a role, call the Taylor Anderson Law Firm to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.

Posted on behalf of Taylor Anderson Law Firm