Floor, Wall & Ceiling Gaps - Causes & Repair Options

Floor, wall, and ceiling gaps can be alarming for many homeowners. While the caps themselves might be a cosmetic issue, the cause is likely a serious structural problem.

What Causes Gaps Between a Wall and the Floor or Ceiling?

When gaps form between a wall and the floor or ceiling, it is usually caused by a structural problem. What causes them is at least partially dependent on what type of foundation you have. Here are some of the options:

• Poor Construction Practices: One possible problem is that the floor joists were not given adequate support when the home was constructed, causing them to eventually sag.
• Sinking Foundation Piers: If you have a pier and beam foundation, the piers themselves might begin to settle. If this happens they cannot provide proper support for the beams or the floor joists. This can cause the floor to sink or sag unevenly, leading it to pull away from the floor. As a result, floors develop a gap between the wall and the floor. Floors may also become uneven, slope, or squeak.
• Wood Rot: If the beams or floor joists in a pier and beam foundation begin to rot because of moisture in your crawl space, they won't provide the proper support for the floor above. This can make the floors spongy and throw everything above them, such as the walls and ceiling, out of alignment.
• Foundation Settlement: Foundation settlement happens when the soil beneath your home is not strong enough to support its weight, causing it to sink or "settle". This settlement is often uneven, and when it is the whole home can get thrown out of alignment. This uneven settlement can lead to plenty of common foundation problems, including the walls pulling away from the floor or ceiling. This usually occurs when there is excess water, drought-like conditions, or soil compaction. The soil in many parts of Nebraska and Iowa consists of clay soil which acts like a sponge. When wet, the soil swells and expands. This creates pressure against foundations, forcing the walls to lean and crack. During dry and hot conditions, the soil contracts. As water evaporates, it shrinks and pulls away from the foundation. This creates gaps next to the foundation.

Floor, Wall, and Ceiling Gap Solutions in Nebraska

When it comes to repairing your floor and wall gaps, it is not a do-it-yourself project. Don't try to install beams or concrete blocks under damaged floor joist or DIY foundation pier installation. It may collapse or create more problems in the long run.

The best solution is to contact a professional such as the experts at Jerry's Waterproofing. We'll fix the root of the problem to prevent further settlement and make your foundation stable. Our experts are trained to identify and diagnose foundation issues and provide the best advice for your situation.

If foundation settlement is to blame, some of our repair solutions include ECP steel push piers and helical piers. Steel push piers are driven into the soil beneath the foundation until they reach stable soil. The piers help support the weight of the structure and raise the foundation back to its original height. This process helps close gaps that were created by settlement by returning the home to level.

Like steel push piers, helical piers are another foundation repair alternative. Instead of being pushed into the soil, helical piers are screwed in. This rotation stabilizes and supports the foundation without causing disruption to the work area.

If pier and beam foundation problems are at fault, crawl space repairs will be needed. If the issue was water related, it might also be time to invest in crawl space encapsulation to prevent future water issues.

Do You Need to Find a Structural Repair Contractor Near You? Contact Us Today

If you notice floor, wall, and ceiling gaps, contact Jerry's Waterproofing immediately. We help determine the best foundation repair solution to fix your floor, wall and ceiling gaps. We serve the Nebraska cities of Omaha and Lincoln, as well as areas of Iowa.