You probably wouldn’t imagine that your house is up against “mini” earthquakes, but it’s true! They are the more common type of earthquake, which puts to rest any fears you might have of those giant, catastrophic earthquakes. These mini earthquakes can range from slightly noticeable to causing a moderate amount of damage to a localized area
In Tennessee alone, there were over 175 earthquakes in 2019, with some of them leaving a significant amount of damage to homes. What does this mean for your foundation? And what do you do when your foundation has been impacted by an earthquake? If earthquakes have presented themselves in your area, these are questions you need answered. It is worth knowing the risks to your home’s structural foundation. Most small quakes, or “tremors”, are small enough to leave you and your home safe, but like with most things, the stress of many quakes can pose a problem, and they add up over time.
Below are some signs of possible, and hopefully repairable, damage you can look for in order to decide if you need a professional inspection. Be sure to look for signs of your foundation’s stability being compromised, or that your house has not shifted on its foundation. These situations are dangerous and require a full inspection by professionals.
Exterior Cracks
The most obvious, and very prominently mentioned form of foundation damage, are foundation cracks. Upon checking the outside perimeter of your foundation, note any new or problematic cracks. Weaker areas like porches and stairs can expose cracks.
The most obvious sign of damage after an earthquake is foundation cracks. Check the outside perimeter of your foundation and note any new or problematic cracks. Be sure to check especially around weaker areas like porches and stairs.
A good rule of thumb is that, if it is wider than ¼ of an inch, it could indicate foundation damage that needs to be looked at by a professional. Using a flashlight to investigate cracks to determine how deep they are is very important. Should you be able to see all the way to steel reinforcements, then this is a sign of SEVERE foundation damage and you need to call a professional immediately!
Sinkholes and large depressions in the ground can be created by earthquakes, so be sure to check for these as well.
Interior Cracks
Make sure you check for cracks on the inside as well. During your whole house inspection, look for large or new cracks on the windows, doors, walls, in-between fixtures like lights or a stairwell. You might not have a ghost in your home, but maybe a sudden unexplained draft, which can indicate cracks or gaps between building materials. It could also be a sign of a gap where the floor has pulled away from the stairwell or wall.
Leaning
C’mon now- if your house is leaning or appears off-center, you would be best off to run to that telephone to call a professional! A house that has pulled away from the foundation or that has sagging walls that can be seen from a distance, might best merit a personal inspection with you standing across the street.
Misaligned Fixtures and Utilities/Appliances
While you are checking around indoors, be on the look-out for anything that seems “off-center” and out of line. Test your windows and doors: you are testing to see if they are harder than normal to open and shut. Check the pipes and ducts, make sure they are properly connected and that the floors are level. Check to see if the power lines to your house are noticeably sagging, if hot the water heater is leaning or tilted, and that all the water connections, toilets, and faucets are secure.
If anything has moved, you have structural damage to blame.
Broken Blocks
While investigating your foundation, look for broken bricks and blocks (depending on which one your home has), along with mortar separating from them. Obviously, if your blocks are crumbling, then this is a sure sign of foundational damage that needs further inspection.
Don’t Wait
You can work around a window that’s tough to open for a few foundation cracks outside, but any fissure or misalignment in your home creates the possibility for moisture and the outside weather changes to cause mold and rotting, along with further shifting. If put off and no repairs are made you risk structural failure and collapse, especially if another earthquake happens.
If you know your Tennessee home has experienced earthquake activity, inspect it for signs of damage and don’t wait to call an experienced team who can do a professional evaluation and the necessary foundation restoration and/or repair to get your house back to a safe state. If you are in middle TN, and Nashville area, call Barrier Waterproofing Systems at (615) 257-1060.
