Help for an Exterior Wall That Is Uneven

Masonry

• Concrete blocks, bricks and stone all provide strong support for the home, but don't respond well to movement. If the house shifts at the foundation level, external walls may display cracks between the blocks, an inward or outward tilt, or sections of masonry appear sunken or pushed out. These problems could indicate a serious structural issue. Contact a professional to determine whether your foundation needs repair. Brick walls with a pitted, strongly weathered appearance may indicate a leaking roof or faulty gutters.

Concrete

• Uneven poured concrete walls suffer movement problems similar to those found in masonry, but without mortar joints. Structural cracks in these walls usually start near the foundation. They may appear spidery and are often connected to window- and doorframes. In severe cases, chunks of concrete may appear shifting outward. Not all cracks or uneven areas in a concrete wall are serious. A few very fine cracks may occur as the house settles. Poor finishing also creates uneven areas that are purely cosmetic. Fill them with additional concrete or apply siding over them using furring strips and anchors.

Siding

• Wood, vinyl and metal siding should always appear straight and even. Irregularities indicate a structural problem or bad installation. Vinyl siding that was attached too tightly warps in time. It can be renailed evenly as long as it isn't damaged. Any siding that's cut too long, and then forced into place, can buckle and appear uneven. Fix this problem by removing the siding, cutting off the extra length and reinstalling it. Siding can look uneven if water leaks into the space behind it, especially siding made from composite materials. In this case, find the leak’s source, repair it and replace any damaged siding.

Warning

• Don't ignore uneven exterior walls. If the unevenness comes from a structural defect, it only gets worse. Allowing cracked and shifting masonry or concrete to go uncorrected results in damage that is more serious later. Buckled siding presents similar problems if uncorrected. Water leaks behind the siding, creating damp conditions that are perfect for rot and mold.