What Are the Signs of Foundation Settlement?
If you’ve noticed new cracks in your drywall or doors that no longer close properly, you might be seeing early signs of foundation settlement. In cities like Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax, shifting soil, heavy rains, and poor drainage can all contribute to foundation movement, sometimes before the home even reaches 20 years old.
At DESKA, we help local homeowners protect their investment by identifying and repairing structural issues early. Here’s what to look out for.
What Is Foundation Settlement?
Foundation settlement happens when the ground beneath your home begins to shift or sink. This movement is usually caused by:
- Soil shrinkage during dry seasons
- Soil expansion from rain or snowmelt
- Poor grading or drainage around the home
- Soil erosion near hills or sloped lots
- Tree roots disrupting the subgrade
In Northern Virginia’s varied soil conditions, settlement is common and can happen unevenly, leading to what’s known as differential settlement, where one section of the home sinks faster than another.
5 Key Signs Your Foundation Is Settling
If you’re seeing any of the signs below, it’s time to schedule a professional evaluation with DESKA:
1. Wall and Ceiling Cracks
Keep an eye on vertical, diagonal, or stair-step cracks in drywall, plaster, or masonry. These often appear near door frames or windows and may widen over time.
2. Uneven or Sloping Floors
If a ball rolls across the room or your furniture never sits quite level, your floor may be sloping due to foundation movement. Homes in areas with clay-heavy soils, like Fairfax or Falls Church, are especially prone to this.
3. Doors and Windows That Stick
Are your doors suddenly hard to open or close? Foundation settlement can twist the frame, causing alignment issues. This is often one of the first signs homeowners notice.
4. Cracks in Brick or Block
Exterior stair-step cracks in brickwork or between blocks may indicate deeper movement in the foundation. These can start small but worsen with seasonal soil changes.
5. Gaps Around Trim or Cabinets
When walls shift even slightly, you might see gaps appear between your crown molding, baseboards, or kitchen cabinets. This is especially noticeable in older Alexandria rowhomes and split-level homes.
Why Foundation Problems Are Common in Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia homes sit atop a wide range of soil types, from sandy loam to dense clay. When these soils absorb water, they expand. When they dry, they shrink. Over time, this expansion and contraction puts stress on your foundation.
Add in hilly terrain, aging infrastructure, and poorly managed stormwater runoff, and you have a recipe for settlement, even in relatively new builds.
The Risks of Ignoring Foundation Movement
Foundation problems don’t go away on their own. Without professional repair, you risk:
Water intrusion in basements or crawl spaces
Interior mold and mildew from damp conditions
Lower home value when it’s time to sell or refinance
Safety issues from structural instability
Small cracks today can become structural failures tomorrow.
How DESKA Repairs Foundation Settlement
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Our foundation repair process starts with a thorough inspection to understand what’s causing the issue. From there, we build a custom plan that may include:
- Helical or push piers to stabilize sinking foundations
- Wall anchors or braces to address bowing walls
- Crawl space support jacks for sagging floors
- Drainage correction to keep water away from your home
All our repairs are backed by engineer-designed solutions and transferable warranties, a smart choice whether you’re staying long-term or thinking about resale.
Book Your Free Foundation Evaluation
If you’ve noticed cracks, sloping floors, or sticking doors, don’t wait. Early detection can mean simpler, less expensive repairs. At DESKA, we specialize in helping homeowners throughout Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and surrounding areas protect their homes with trusted foundation and structural repair. Call now or schedule your free evaluation online. Let’s make sure your home stays strong from the ground up.