Book a Consultation

Signs A Floor Will Collapse – What Homeowners Need to Know About Structural Safety

extremely moldy floor joists - signs a floor will collapse

It’s natural for you to worry. It can be useful, even productive, if done in moderation. Worrying about what could happen – like whether your sagging floors will collapse – helps you anticipate problems and find ways to fix them. But too much worry can take a toll, not just on your peace of mind but also on your health. Countless studies have shown that too much worry = too much stress = increased health problems.

Some things are out of your control – you can’t fix everything. But learning more about the problems in your home can help you take action and prevent bigger issues.

For example, understanding the signs a floor will collapse can help you address structural concerns before they become serious. Ignoring these warning signs can lead to further deterioration and issues such as cold air leaks, pests, wall separation, and collapsing floors – problems no homeowner wants to deal with.

At Acculevel, we want you to have the information you need to make the best decision for your home. We specialize in foundation repair and waterproofing and have been helping homeowners like you restore stability to their homes and regain peace of mind since 1996.

In this article, we’re going to address three major concerns that homeowners like you often worry about but may feel hesitant to ask – including whether you should be scared your house will fall down.

Have You Ever Thought, “I’m Scared My House Will Collapse”? Here’s What to Know

No, your house will probably not fall down. Builders in the Midwest understand the varying weather conditions throughout the region. Your home is designed to withstand a wide range of stresses, including high winds, heavy snows, hydrostatic pressure, and even minor tremors.

Even if one of your basement walls collapses, it’s not likely to take out the entire house.  It will cause major structural damage.  It could compromise your plumbing, causing major water damage.  And it certainly won’t be safe for you to live there until an engineer or a highly qualified contractor has evaluated the structure and provides an assessment. But your home is not likely to fold up like a house of cards.

Even if one of your basement walls collapses, it’s not likely to take out the entire house. It will cause major structural damage that can lead to further deterioration and issues such as cold air leaks, pests, wall separation, and collapsing floors.

A foundation failure of this scale could compromise your home’s plumbing, leading to water damage. Until a structural engineer or highly qualified contractor evaluates the damage, it won’t be safe to stay in your home. But rest assured – your home is not going to fold up like a house of cards.

Signs Your Home’s Foundation is at Risk of Collapse:

  • Cracks in the exterior of the house
  • Windows and doors stick- not opening or closing smoothly
  • Cracks in the drywall around those sticking doors/windows
  • Long cracks or bowing in the basement/crawl space walls

 

Are Foundation Problems Dangerous? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Yes, serious foundation issues put your home’s stability at risk. If a foundation wall collapses, the structure is at risk of collapsing into lower levels of the house. This is why you need a structural engineer or a highly qualified contractor to assess the damage as soon as possible.

They will determine if it’s safe for you to stay in your home during repairs and where stabilizing jacks or beams need to be installed before rebuilding can occur. Ignoring foundation problems will only lead to further deterioration and issues such as cold air leaks, pests, wall separation, and collapsing floors.

signs a floor will collapse - bowing block basement wallSigns that a floor will collapse. Photo was taken by an Acculevel project manager.

How Long Do You Have to Fix Foundation Damage? Will Structural Failure Get Worse?

Once you become aware of a foundation issue, you need to fix it promptly – waiting will only make things worse. Sagging floors rarely collapse immediately, but foundation problems do not fix themselves, and they are not a safe place for DIY repairs.

Once cracks form, they only get wider. Cracks eventually become gaps, and walls become unstable as the gaps expand. And all of this ignores the fact that these openings in your foundation allow water into your home, creating its own type of damage.  The longer you wait, the more substantial the issue, and the more expensive it will be to repair.  We have a blog that explores the costs of delaying repairs, if you would like more specific examples. 

Can Sagging Floors Collapse? Wondering About the Risks?

Technically, yes – sagging floors can collapse if left unrepaired. But your home will give you warning signs first. Ignoring them can lead to further deterioration and issues such as cold air leaks, pests, wall separation, and collapsing floors. Sagging floors rarely collapse immediately, but they always worsen.

Signs a Floor Will Collapse – Key Structural Damage Indicators:

You may notice the floors sloping to one side or sagging in the center. Walking across them may evoke springiness, bounce, or an unsettling feeling of collapse. The floor may feel oddly bouncy or soft, or have high and low places. These are all signs a floor will collapse if not properly addressed.

However, even if your main beam falls down, it won’t immediately take out the entire floor. Instead, the weight of your home will slowly overwhelm the joists, which will start to crack. Over time, the structure is at risk of collapsing into lower levels of the house if left unaddressed. You may hear cracking and popping sounds as you walk around. Eventually, the floor will start to have gaps or feel “wobbly” under your feet.

The exact symptoms you have will depend on which components of the wooden flooring structure are damaged.  This article explains each of the components, how it shows damage, and how it should be repaired.  

extremely moldy floor joists

Can sagging floors collapse? Yes. This photo shows significant mold and rot on the joists and main beam.
(Photo taken by an Acculevel project manager during a free estimate appointment.)

 

Do I Have Toxic Mold?

Yes and no. Any mold can be harmful if you are allergic to it. People with compromised immune systems or chronic respiratory illnesses are especially prone to reactions. However, these symptoms are typically similar to other allergic responses, including a runny nose, watery red eyes, cough, skin rashes, and a sore throat.

Fiction vs. Fact: Common Mold Misconceptions:

FictionFact
Toxic mold is blackMany molds are black
Toxic mold releases mycotoxinsAll molds release mycotoxins
Mycotoxins cause severe mold poisoning (mycotoxicosis)Mold poisoning is usually a result of
ingesting mycotoxins, not inhaling them.

I don’t want to mislead you—research has repeatedly shown that mold creates an unhealthy environment.
This is especially concerning for anyone with preexisting conditions.

Children exposed to mold are more likely to develop asthma. Healthy adults who live or work in a damp, moldy environment for an extended time may also develop asthma. And even when well-controlled, asthma can interfere with your daily life and limit physical activity.

Although mold exposure is unlikely to be fatal for most people, it can lead to further deterioration and issues such as cold air leaks, pests, wall separation, and collapsing floors when combined with structural damage.

If you have mold in your basement or crawl space, you should have it treated professionally. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that any mold problem larger than 10 square feet be examined by an expert. This is a service Acculevel provides, and we review both methods and their costs in this blog article.

 

Do You Need More Information?

Please use our free comprehensive guide to foundation repairs.  It can be read in its entirety, you can select the chapter relevant to you, or bookmark it as a reference when you meet with contractors.  

Foundation Repair Guide

If you’re still scared your house will collapse and want to take immediate action, you should find an experienced and knowledgeable foundation company to evaluate your home. Before you meet with a contractor of any kind, we urge you to verify that the company is reputable, insured, and accredited by the Better Business Bureau.  

Not sure what questions to ask, or what information you should acquire about the company you hire?  Please use our guide to questions you should ask a contractor, with a free downloadable form.

If you’re noticing signs a floor will collapse, or you’re wondering, “Can sagging floors collapse?” it’s essential to have a professional assess the issue. Ignoring warning signs can lead to further deterioration and issues such as cold air leaks, pests, wall separation, and collapsing floors.

If you live in Indiana or the surrounding states, contact Acculevel. We are a family-owned and operated company, and we provide free written estimates.  One of our experienced project managers will evaluate your foundation, basement or crawl space, then recommend the best course of action for you.  Our goal is to help you keep your home strong and healthy for years to come.

 

Get Started