Hey everyone! I've noticed some strange changes in my kitchen floor over the last six months, and I'm really worried it might be a foundation issue. My house, built in the 1950s, seems to have developed this problem recently.
I've attached a link to some pictures ([https://imgur.com/a/GpVzTHY](https://imgur.com/a/GpVzTHY)) showing long lumps and ridges that run in a perfectly straight line across the floor—there are four spots where this happens, with two visible in the photos (marked with blue lines). Along with those, there are a few depressions that are also straight lines (marked in red). The depressions can be felt underfoot, while the lumps are only noticeable when I'm paying attention. The depressions are about two inches wide and seem to be mostly under the green mats in the images.
I haven't noticed any other signs of foundation damage, like wall cracks or doors and windows sticking. The exterior brickwork looks fine too. From what I understand, since my home has a slab foundation, it doesn't have joists underneath the floor. So, I'm confused about what could be causing this unless it's actually related to the foundation. Wouldn't cracks in the foundation show up differently?
How concerned should I actually be about this? And sorry for the messy floors; we just got a French drain put in and have been busy working outside (plus, dogs are messy!).
Oh, and just a side note: the lump shown in one of the pictures has been there since we moved in and hasn't changed, so disregard that one! I'd appreciate any advice!
1 Answer
Chill out a bit! If your house has been fine for years and just now started showing these issues, it’s probably not a foundation crisis. Older houses like yours might have a few cracks that shift with the seasons. A decoupling membrane under your flooring might just fix it!
Also, since you've installed the French drain recently, that could also play a role. If your area has clay soil, sudden changes in moisture can cause contraction and movement in the slab. But really, it sounds more like a flooring issue than anything serious.
Thanks for the reassurance! We’ve had the home for about six years, so this issue is definitely new. The French drain was installed to improve drainage because the yard was channeling water toward the house. We’ve been meaning to sort out the yard for a while. If it's more about the construction rather than a serious foundation issue, I really appreciate you saying that!