✓Years of slow settlingThe Kentucky Geological Survey says soil over gaps in the rock can settle slowly for years before it gives way. Small signs around a Lexington house can be the early warning.kgs.uky.edu
✓Sinkholes all over the countyState geologists mapped 1,821 sinkholes in Fayette County from laser terrain data. A dip in a Lexington yard is worth a closer look.uky.edu
✓Wet springs show the leaksSpring is Lexington's wettest season, with about 14 inches of rain from March to May in 1991 to 2020. That is when most leaks show up.weather.gov
The signs Lexington homeowners call about most
Most foundation problems give warning signs long before they get serious. Here is what to look for, from the basement up to the yard.
Water signs
Water on the floor
Puddles after a hard rain are the top reason people call. Look where the wall meets the floor. That joint is where water most often comes in.
Damp walls
A wall that stays dark and damp, or paint that bubbles and peels, means water is moving through the wall.
White crust
That white powder is mineral salt left behind as water passes through block, stone or concrete. It is a clear sign of water, even if you never see a puddle.
A musty smell
A musty smell in the basement or rising from the crawl space means damp air. Over time, damp air leads to mold and soft wood.
A sump pump that never stops
A pump that runs all the time, even days after rain, means a lot of water is reaching the house.
Crack signs
Cracks that leak
Any crack that lets water in is worth fixing.
Cracks that grow
A crack that gets longer or wider over a few weeks or months means something is still moving.
Wide or tapered cracks
A crack you can fit a dime into, or one wider at one end, points to movement.
Sideways cracks in block
A long crack running sideways across a block wall often means soil is pushing the wall in.
Stair-step cracks
Cracks that zigzag along brick or block mortar often mean one corner is settling.
Wall movement signs
A wall that bows in
Hold a long straight board against the wall. A gap at the middle means it is bowing.
A wall that leans at the top
Look where the top of the wall meets the wood frame of the house. A gap or shift there is a sign of movement.
Loose or crumbling mortar
In older stone and brick basements, mortar that falls out when touched needs attention.
Signs upstairs
Doors and windows that stick
A door that used to close fine and now sticks or swings open can mean the frame has shifted.
Cracks in drywall
Cracks running up from the corners of doors and windows are a common sign of settling.
Sloping or bouncy floors
A floor that slopes toward one side, or feels soft and bouncy, can mean a sunken post or a weak joist below. This is common over a crawl space.
Gaps at the trim
Gaps between the wall and the ceiling, or between the floor and the baseboard, can mean part of the house has dropped.
Outside signs
A hole or dip in the yard
Lexington sits on limestone. A new hole, a round dip, or a spot where water swirls away is worth a look. It matters most near the house, a driveway or a downspout.
Cracked brick
Stair-step cracks in the brick outside often match cracks inside.
Sinking steps, porch or garage floor
A porch or stoop pulling away from the house, or a garage floor that drops, can mean soil has settled or washed out.
Water that runs toward the house
Watch the yard in a hard rain. Water should run away from the house. If it pools by the wall, that is the first thing to fix.
Downspouts that dump by the wall
A downspout that empties right at the foundation soaks the soil there all year.
How serious is it?
Watch and track it. Thin, dry, straight cracks in poured concrete. Seasonal door sticking that goes away.
Book an inspection soon. Cracks that leak or grow. Damp walls or white crust. A musty crawl space. A bouncy floor.
Call right away. A wall that bows in or has moved at the top. A crack that opened fast. A new hole in the yard near the house. Water coming in now.
Whatever you see, the inspection is free. You get a written plan and price, and you decide what to do.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to check my house?
Spring, during and after long rains. That is when the ground around Lexington homes is wettest. Leaks, damp walls and moving cracks are easiest to spot.
Is white powder on my basement wall a problem?
That white crust is mineral salt left behind when water passes through the wall and dries. It is not dangerous by itself. It does show water is getting through.
My house is old. Are some cracks normal?
Some settling cracks in an old house are normal. What matters is whether they grow, leak, or come with a wall that leans in. A free inspection can tell you which ones to watch.
How do I know if a crack is growing?
Mark both ends with a pencil and write the date. Measure the width with a coin or ruler. Check again after a few weeks of wet weather. If it got longer or wider, call.
Do sticking doors always mean a foundation problem?
No. Humid summer weather can swell wood doors. But doors that stick all year, or several at once, along with new cracks, are worth an inspection.
A hole opened up in my yard. What should I do?
Keep kids and pets away from it. Do not dump trash or yard waste in it. Check that no downspout drains into it. If it is close to the house or growing, get it looked at soon.
Can I wait until summer to fix it?
You can schedule some work for dry months. But get it inspected now, so you know how urgent it is. Then plan the work with the crew.
Call (859) 681-6936 or send the short form to book your free inspection.