What Causes Floor and Wall Gaps?

Gaps between the wall and floor or ceiling of your property can be caused by many things, but the most common causes are: 

• Foundation and Structural Damage 

A damaged or sinking foundation can put uneven stress and strain on your property, causing floors, walls, and ceilings to separate from one another as the house slowly pulls itself apart. This may seem dramatic, but the truth is that uneven and leaning walls can eventually collapse, and a sinking foundation can start to crack and come apart over time. 

Of course, foundation damage is not the only structural issue that can lead to floor and wall gaps. Damaged structural supports and floor joists, for example, can also lead to gaps between your floor and walls. This can happen because a floor is sagging due to lack of support, or because a wall is losing its ability to support the weight of the structure above it.

• Bowing Walls 

Even if you have a generally sound structure, the walls of your basement could begin to lean or bow as a result of intense hydrostatic pressure. If this happens, you could find gaps between your floor and walls in the rooms above, as well as a host of other issues, like dampness, spreading cracks, and mold formation. Bowing walls are fairly common in areas where the soil is particularly absorbent. 

Reactive or expansive soils, such as those that are heavy in clay, have a habit of soaking up water and expanding during heavy rainfall. This puts immense pressure on your property’s foundation and walls. When walls begin to bow, they can start to detach from the ceiling and floor inside your home, causing large gaps to appear.