Your home is only as strong as its foundation. However, there are often a number of warning signs that your foundation is in serious trouble.

For example, if you notice cracks in your home, which is the most common problem, it is likely due to the platforms which sit on the foundation, known as its footings, has shifted in some way and a footing has cracked.

Cracked footings result in cracks in your house, which, as you can imagine, is a serious problem, particularly if the cracks affect the interior or exterior walls.

Once cracks develop, particularly with the interior or exterior walls of your house, it's only going to get worse over time, and action is required.

Another telltale sign is a section of your floors seems uneven. You can verify this by using a tape measure, or better still, a laser-guided one, and it could be just the result of a sagging joist or floor beams. But it's important to get a second opinion from a professional, as if there is a foundation problem, again it will not get any better.

A third sign that there may be a foundation problem is that your doors and windows are
sticking and this has not been a problem before. It may not mean a thing, but if multiple doors and windows are sticking, check your walls, both interior and exterior for cracks.

Other signs of a possible foundation problem may be wallpaper that is suddenly creasing, separating, or tearing, and gaps that may appear, such as between the windows and the caulking.

In your basement, another obvious sign may be that the walls of your basement are
bowing inward.

At this point, the most obvious and logical step is to call in a professional to inspect your foundation.

Note that foundation leveling work is an intense form of construction work, but not every state requires foundation leveling companies to be regulated, unlike plumbers as an example.

Therefore, it's critical that you do your research when hiring a foundation leveling company.

Do not have a company touch your foundation, even for inspection, unless they have been in business for at least three years.

Call your local city to enquire whether the city does require foundation leveling companies to be licensed in the city, (even if the state doesn't require a license, the city might.)

In addition, inspect their license before hiring someone, and inquire whether they are regulated in any fashion.

If it's a situation where it's the wide west, (for example in most of Texas,) tread carefully.

The first thing you want to know is if they provide a free quote as part of their inspection. Most do, but a free quote is essential.

And if a company provides you a quote, and you think that quote is too high, they schedule with another company. Getting two quotes is better than one.

Also, be sure the employees are bonded, and insured so that if they are injured on your property, you do not bear any of the bills.

Naturally, you hire a professional because they are experts at foundation leveling. That's one reason why never to hire a new company. They may be experts, but then again, may not. A company that has at least three years under its belt is a much safer bet.

In addition, you want a company that will guarantee their work. But no guarantee is any good if the company goes out of business. Therefore, again, you want to hire a solid, reliable company that is likely to be in business several years after your
work is done.

And do read plenty of reviews on sites such as Yelp and Angie's list, in order to hire the best company for the job.

Address foundation problems the moment you notice any of the warning signs, and you are also less likely to avoid extremely costly repairs down the line, so do a period home inspection yourself to avoid being caught unaware.