Signs Your Baton Rouge Home Has Foundation Problems

Foundation problems rarely arrive all at once. They show up as small changes that are easy to ignore, and in Baton Rouge the pattern is often tied to wet and dry seasons.

Signs worth noticing

• Cracks running from the corners of doors and windows
• Doors that stick, rub or will not latch
• Floors that slope, bounce or feel uneven
• Stair-step cracks in brick or block
• Gaps where walls meet the ceiling or the floor
• A musty smell or damp crawl space

What is usually harmless

Hairline cracks in drywall and small shrinkage cracks in new concrete are common and often cosmetic. A crack that stays the same size for months is less worrying than one that grows.

How to track changes

Photograph each crack with a ruler beside it and note the date. Check again every few weeks and after heavy rain. A clear record helps a contractor or engineer see what is changing.

When to ask for an inspection

If cracks are widening, doors are sticking more, or floors are visibly sloping, get the home looked at. It costs far less to understand a small problem than to wait for a big one.