Signs you may need a professional

Cracks that follow the mortar lines in a zig-zag pattern usually mean a portion of your foundation is settling or sinking.

Soft or "springy" spots when you walk are often caused by excess moisture weakening the wooden supports under your home.

Walls that look like they are bulging inward are being pushed by extreme soil pressure and require immediate reinforcement.

If paint is bubbling or peeling off your basement walls, it’s a sign that water pressure is pushing through from the outside.

If your feet are freezing on hardwood or tile, it’s likely because your crawl space isn't properly insulated or sealed from the elements.

Beads of water forming on surfaces under your home are a sign of high humidity, which can lead to wood rot and metal corrosion.

Diagonal cracks stretching from the corners of doors or windows are classic red flags that your home’s frame is under stress.

If you see daylight or feel drafts around your windows and door frames, the wall may be pulling away due to foundation movement.

If you see a space opening up between your floor and the trim, it usually means the crawl space supports are sinking or sagging.

An unsealed crawl space lets in outside air, forcing your heating and cooling system to work much harder to keep you comfortable.

When your foundation shifts, it can pull the subfloor apart, causing visible gaps or spaces to open up between your floorboards.

Floors that feel "springy" or slope to one side are often a sign that the main supports of your foundation are failing.

A chimney that looks like it’s pulling away from the house is a serious sign of a failing foundation footer.

Dark spots or fuzzy patches on walls and furniture are clear signs of high humidity that can impact your health, and the quality of the air in your home.

Those mildewy smells are a sign of moisture problems, which can impact the quality of the air you breathe in the rest of your home.

Bad odors in your living area are often caused by "stack effect," which pulls damp, dirty crawl space air up into your home.

This thick, rusty buildup is called Iron Ochre and is caused by bacteria in the water, which can quickly clog your drainage systems and sump pump.

Rust on the bottom of appliances or orange stains on the floor are clear indicators of a persistent moisture problem.

When your steps or porch pull away from the main house, it’s a sign the soil underneath is no longer supporting the weight.

If your floors feel like they’re sloping or aren’t level, you could have rotting support beams or a serious foundation issue.

Puddles or soggy soil under your home create a constant source of humidity that can damage your entire structural system.

Doors that won't latch or windows that are hard to slide are often the first sign that your foundation has shifted out of alignment.

Discolored streaks or dark patches on your walls and floors show exactly where water has been seeping in, even if it looks dry now.

When fiberglass insulation gets heavy with moisture, it sags and falls down, leaving your floors unprotected and prone to rot.

Even small puddles or damp spots after rain can indicate water entering through the foundation.

This powdery residue, known as efflorescence, is a sign that moisture is traveling through your walls and leaving minerals behind.