Jamming, Sticking Windows & Doors
How To Solve Foundation Problems That Lead To Sticking Windows & Doors
Window damage due to foundation settlement in Ajax.
Foundation settlement will often cause cracks around window and door openings, as shown above, because any opening made in a wall is a weak point. This is especially true for load-bearing exterior walls.
The Problem:
Your windows and/or doors are sticking, jamming, or your doors have non-functioning locks.
Telltale Signs:
- Doors don't open or close properly.
- Windows need extra force to open & close.
- Diagonal cracks that start at top corners of windows & door openings
- Floors are uneven, or dip and sag
- Door & window openings are out of square
- Cracks forming in windows
How to Fix It:
The two most common foundation-related causes are settlement and crawl space supports that have settled, shifted, or deteriorated.
We can help you fix your foundation with our warranted solutions! Call us for a free foundation repair quote today!
We serve Mississauga, Toronto, Markham, and many nearby areas in Ontario.
Identifying Problems With Windows & Doors
Problems with a home can be extremely stressful, and even more so when there's a problem with your foundation. Sticking windows and doors are among the most annoying and inconvenient foundation problems.
Symptoms Of Sticking Windows & Doors
Windows and doors provide ventilation, security, and aesthetic appeal to our homes. When they don't operate correctly or don't look good because of skewed openings or cracks around openings, it's clear that something must be done. It is important to remember that foundation problems only get worse, and more costly to repair, over time.
Below are images of windows and doors we've encountered that have been damaged due to more far-sweeping foundation issues.
(Click each photo to enlarge.)
What Causes Windows And Doors To Stick Or Jam?
Cracks that extend along window and door openings can be a symptom of a much larger foundation settlement issue. If ignored, it's possible that the foundation problem that caused these cracks will get worse, potentially leading to more severe damage to your home.
Window and door cracks that are connected to foundation problems have two common sources:
Settling Foundations
Foundation settlement is never uniform because of varying soil characteristics. Uneven settlement causes sections of a foundation or slab to crack and shift, while other sections remain in their original positions.
While foundations and slabs crack due to soil settlement, the wood framing supported above is more likely to bend or twist. This results in skewed openings for windows -- and doors and floors that dip.
When the drywall is fastened to wood framing is not as flexible, so it’s more likely to crack. These cracks have a tendency to appear at the corners of window and doors. When a house has a brick or stone exterior, a settled foundation is likely to have cracks in these upper masonry surfaces due to a lack in flexibility
More about foundation settlement issues.
The Solution:
At Clarke Basement Systems, we address foundation settlement issues by installing foundation piers at key locations. The piers extend to stable load-bearing soil, attached to the foundation with steel brackets. These piers prevent further settling and can even allow the foundation to be jacked back to its original position.
Once the foundation is raised back up, cracks in the wall will close. Doors, locks, and windows may return to functionality, and further settlement damage will halt.
Sinking Crawl Space Supports
Crawl spaces are often designed with too few support columns, rotting floor joists, and weak supporting soils causing the supports to sink.
As the crawl space structure sinks, the floor that it supports will sink as well, creating uneven surfaces underfoot. And as the floor sinks, it will pull the interior walls that are attached to it downwards.
As the walls sink, they pull apart, leaving cracks in your interior walls. And as the home warps, doors inside the home will jam and become difficult to open or shut.
The Solution:
We repair crawl space structural issues with crawl space support jacks. First, we excavate a hole for each support and create a base of engineered fill. A pre-cast concrete base is installed on top of the fill, and the support jack is mounted on top.
Once installed, our crawl space supports will stop your floor from sinking and sagging. These adjustable jacks can also be modified to attempt to lift your floors and walls back to a level position.
Crawl space jack systems can typically be installed in about a day. They provide a superior solution to other repairs, such as concrete columns, shimming, and light-duty jack posts.
When shopping for crawl space jacks, it's important to find a system that's resistant to corrosion. Crawl space jacks that rust and corrode in a crawl space will become difficult, if not impossible to adjust. If you have a future issue, you won't be able to count on them to operate properly.
Which is Which?
When pinpointing what kind of foundation repair you'll need, it's important to note whether the visible problem in your home is centered around the interior of the structure or the exterior.
If you have exterior cracks, jamming doors, and windows, then the problem is most likely not sinking crawl space supports. These cracks are most often caused by foundation settlement.
Identifying The Source Of Window & Door Issues |
||
| Potentially Caused By: | ||
| Structural Problem | Crawl Space Structural Issue | Foundation Settlement |
| Jamming Exterior Or Entryway Doors |
 |
|
| Jamming Interior Doorways | |
|
| Sticking Windows | |
|
| Cracks Along Windows & Entryway Doors |
|
|
| Cracks Along Interior Doorways | |
|
| Sinking, Sagging Floors | |
|
Your Local Foundation Repair Experts in ON
If you have a problem with your foundation, we can help. At Clarke Basement Systems, we offer free, no obligation foundation repair quotes within our Ontario service area. Each free quote includes an on-site inspection, personal consultation, and written estimate.
To schedule your free quote, call or e-mail us today! We proudly serve Mississauga, Toronto, Markham, surrounding areas such as Brampton, Vaughan, Oshawa, Richmond Hill, Barrie, Peterborough, and nearby.