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Yes, foundation problems can cause ceilings to collapse or even your whole house to crumble. Left unaddressed, natural sinking can build up and eventually harm your home’s supporting structure, such as walls, beams, and frames. Your basement ceiling may be the first place to look for signs of a ceiling collapse caused by foundation problems.

While it can be difficult to identify a bad foundation at first glance, look for large horizontal cracks, discoloration, bulging basement walls, or signs of water damage. You may also see large gaps between the home and the foundation on the outside or signs of pooling water from a recent storm.

You can use a level or straight-edge to test for plumb foundation walls and a level slab, a level or a ball to check for sloping floors inside your home, and a hygrometer to look for moisture in your underhome area. Aside from these DIY tests, it’s important to get a foundation repair specialist or structural engineer to test the foundation to see if it’s supporting your structure properly. They can determine if the loads on the concrete are uneven or need reinforcement.

Water damage to a foundation often starts as a slow leak or water vapor problem that worsens over the course of months or even years. The speed at which foundation leaks worsen depends on a few factors, including your climate and location, the soil composition around your home, the foundation drainage system you have in place, if any, and the type of foundation you have. Even if you have a minor issue that’s slow to develop, it’s best to have a professional address the issue immediately.