Can Flooding Cause Foundation Damage?

Floridians get our fair share of heavy rains and rising flood waters flooding every year, especially when tropical storms and hurricanes hit. Flooding can cause devastating damage in what seems like the blink of an eye: rotting away drywall, flooring and even structural wood. However, flooding also threatens a part of your home you may not even think about: your foundation. The foundation your home is built on is the single most important part of keeping it together, and flood waters can jeopardize its integrity, resulting in your home literally falling apart at its core. Let’s take a closer look at how floods can cause such catastrophic damage.

Cracking

Cracks come in many different shapes and sizes in your foundation, so honestly they’re not all that rare. In fact, minor cracks can be found in nearly every foundation, so they’re often not a reason for alarm. A good rule of thumb: if a crack is less than one-eighth of an inch wide are generally not structurally-compromising in any way. That being said, larger cracks are a potential danger sign and could be indicative of future problems. If you start to notice a few small cracks forming after a heavy rain, your foundation could be giving you a sign that rains are putting pressure on your foundation, thus making you more prone to damage from groundwater floods.

Settling & Sinking

On the other hand, major cracks are a serious issue that you shouldn’t ignore. Large cracks are a sign that the land underneath your home has started to settle or shift. Because the land beneath your foundation is no longer even, it’s not uncommon for part of it to break, causing the large crack you see.

Furthermore, just because you don’t see a large crack doesn’t mean your home is free from foundation damage. Weak points in your home will also reflect the signs of a shifting foundation. If you notice any of these signs of damage, you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to a professional:

• A leaning or separated chimney
• Small cracks around your doors or windows
• Cracks in brickwork, particularly brickwork stairs
• Cracks in your drywall or ceilings
• Doors or windows that jam or stick (usually a sign that they’re no longer evenly lined up)

A displaced foundation can cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair, all the while forcing you out of your home until the job is done. In serious cases, foundation displacements have caused houses to collapse, leading to immense property loss and even serious injury. If you’re noticing foundation issues, don’t hesitate to seek the assistance of a home foundation expert and have them determine if you should seek repairs before the next major rainfall.