Is there dampness in your inventory rooms? Do you have uneven floors throughout your building? These are just two lesser-known signs that your commercial business might need foundation improvements. Let’s go over some unexpected foundation problem signs you should know.
Common vs. Less-Common Issues
Some symptoms of foundation damage are obvious, like cracks in walls or around the doorframe. However, there are other ways your building may be trying to tell you something is wrong. Catching these lesser-known symptoms early on can lead to a more manageable and often cheaper fix.
So, if you spot one of these problems in your place of business, don’t panic. Structural issues can seem intimidating, but they don’t have to be. With the right commercial foundation repair specialist on your side, there’s nothing to worry about. From polyurethane foam jacking to pressed piling systems, there are many different ways to repair commercial foundation problems in Texas.
Keep reading and find out what to look for to avoid severe foundation damage.
Signs Your Business Has Foundation Problems
How do you know if you have commercial foundation issues? There are many signs of structural trouble, some more obvious than others. Below, we’ve compiled a list of five unsuspecting signs your building needs commercial foundation repair.
- Sticking Doors
- Separating Fixtures
- Warped Floors
- Sagging Ceiling
- Rotated Walls
1. Sticking Doors
Out-of-square doors that stick when you try to open or close them are a common problem that many building owners experience. Most of the time, it is the cause of foundation settlement complications rather than an issue with the door itself.
When a building’s foundation shifts, it can change the slope of the walls and floors. This can affect the way your windows or doors open and close. They may stick or jam, and it may even prevent you from using your locks. The corners of a frame are meant to sit at precise right angles when properly functioning. However, when they shift out of alignment, problems arise.
Sticking doors are usually more prevalent in older buildings. Over time, a sinking or settling foundation can cause a door to get out of square.
An easy way to diagnose this issue is to take a few steps back from your door and analyze the upper edge of the frame. Ideally, there should be a consistent gap between the frame and the door all the way across. If one side has a significantly wider gap than the other, your door is likely out of square.
Additionally, a door frame pulling away from the wall is another indicator of foundation problems.
2. Separating Fixtures
Is the molding in your building separating from the wall? Are there gaps behind your countertops? Problems with your interior trim and fixtures can signify commercial foundation issues. When a building’s foundation begins to fail, fixtures will pull away from the wall. Examples include cabinets, chair rails, backsplashes, and even built-in bookshelves. Call in a professional to take a look at any fixtures pulling away from the walls.
3. Warped Floors
Structural damage is a leading cause of uneven floors in commercial properties. Complications with bearing walls, framing, and beams, can cause a building’s floors to warp.
Can’t tell if your floors are sloping or if your eyes are just playing tricks on you? Try rolling a tennis ball or marble across your floor and see if it goes straight or downhill. If the conclusion is that your floors are unlevel, call a professional foundation repair specialist to evaluate the situation. When the integrity of your building is at stake, it’s always better to face the problem head-on than to wait. There are many devastating consequences of not fixing foundations problems.
4. Sagging Ceiling
Your building’s foundation can move, expand, or shrink with seasonal temperature changes. This can affect the materials that are attached to your structure, such as the plasterboard and ceiling. The movement may seem minimal and insignificant, but it can cause your ceilings to sag, crack, warp, and stretch. So, if you notice your building’s ceiling begin to sag, contact a commercial foundation repair expert. During the inspection, they’ll check for any hidden weak spots prone to sagging or cracking.
5. Rotated Walls
Rotating walls, also referred to as bowing walls, are usually the result of over-saturated, expanding clay soils. The rotation can occur during or immediately following periods of prolonged or heavy rainfall.
When the soil below your building’s foundation gets saturated with water, the massive weight of the building pushes down on the foundation, causing the outer edge to sink deep into the soil. Meanwhile, the inside edge of the foundation pulls up. This occurrence gives the appearance of a rotated wall, and it is a serious structural problem.
Partnering with the Best Commercial Foundation Repair Company
So, is your building trying to tell you something? Lucky for you, the specialists at URETEK Gulf Coast are experts in foundation repair! We’ll determine the root cause of your commercial foundation issues and offer a solution via one of our several techniques and methods. We’ve proudly served business owners in the Houston community since 2000. So, if your building is showing foundation problem signs, we’ve got your back.
Call us at 281-894-4990 or contact us online to get a free estimate today!