6 signs of a failing foundation

The first place to look is the foundation itself wherever it’s exposed (on the exterior and/or in an unfinished basement or crawlspace on the inside). You’re looking for substantial cracks (1/4”-wide or larger) or crumbling bricks or blocks in the foundation. Horizontal cracks are often indicative of structural issues.

If it’s easy to get up on the roof, do so and inspect the chimney for cracks. If not, inspect from the ground with binoculars. Cracks or crumbling mortar could mean foundation issues, or you might have a leaky chimney liner that’s allowing exhaust gases to corrode the chimney.

Another sign to look for on the exterior is anything indicating that one section of the building is sinking or heaving.

Inspect each room from the inside looking for significant cracks in the walls or ceiling. Note that plaster walls do tend to develop cracks over time, and initial settling after new construction or changes in humidity levels can cause the seams between drywall sheets to crack, so these may be more of a cosmetic issue.

If you put a ball on the floor against an exterior wall does it roll to the centre of the room? Sagging floors could indicate issues with the foundation or support beams.

If your foundation starts to shift, you’ll notice that some of your windows and doors start to stick. Alternatively, you may note that some doors don’t close properly anymore. Drawers and cabinets are other items that can be put out of alignment by structural issues.

If you spot any one of these potential red flags on their own, it doesn’t necessarily mean your cottage is going to come crashing down. But if two or more signs are present, you should call in an expert to properly assess the situation.