my house was built with only a dirt crawl space. the stats of my house indicate a concrete slab foundation, but unless it's buried under the dirt, i don't see it. it is on a slope (approx 25-30 deg) below my neighbor.
Seven years ago, when i had bamboo floors put in, the installers had to replace some of the runners (joists?) under the subfloor along the front of the house due to wet rot. After this, i had a french drain put in on the side of the house that collects the water from my neighbor's runoff.
over the past year or so, i've noticed cracks in the walls on that side of the house. corners of window frames are separating, my front door is now hanging ascant to the frame, and i have a gap between the floor and wall on that side of the house (approx 1/2 inch). at the crack there is a black buildup (mold?). the rest of the rooms along that wall are either carpeted or contain cabinets, so any signs of the same are covered up.
i'm now petrified! i'm constantly hearing "settling" noises in the house (night and day) and am afraid the whole structure is going to fall on my head! am i right to be distressed? whom should i call? i've seen diy shows in which the house is lifted and refitted with a foundation, but have no idea how to start! Help!!
Seven years ago, when i had bamboo floors put in, the installers had to replace some of the runners (joists?) under the subfloor along the front of the house due to wet rot. After this, i had a french drain put in on the side of the house that collects the water from my neighbor's runoff.
over the past year or so, i've noticed cracks in the walls on that side of the house. corners of window frames are separating, my front door is now hanging ascant to the frame, and i have a gap between the floor and wall on that side of the house (approx 1/2 inch). at the crack there is a black buildup (mold?). the rest of the rooms along that wall are either carpeted or contain cabinets, so any signs of the same are covered up.
i'm now petrified! i'm constantly hearing "settling" noises in the house (night and day) and am afraid the whole structure is going to fall on my head! am i right to be distressed? whom should i call? i've seen diy shows in which the house is lifted and refitted with a foundation, but have no idea how to start! Help!!