Pittsburgh is a city of hills, and many homes sit on slopes that were cut, filled and built on a century ago. When the ground under or behind a house starts to move, the damage can grow fast. This page covers what slope movement looks like, why it happens here, and what can be done about it.
What you will notice
The U.S. Geological Survey lists these signs that a slope may be moving. Most of them show up before a slide is obvious:
New cracks in the ground
In the yard, the driveway, the sidewalk or the street above or below you.
A bulge or a step in the slope
Soil at the bottom of a hill pushes out while the top drops.
Water where it never was
New wet spots, springs or puddles on the hillside.
Tilting trees, fences or poles
Power lines that sag or pull tight.
Doors and windows that start to stick
New cracks in walls, ceilings or the foundation.
Soil pulling away from the house
A gap opens between the foundation and the ground, or a porch or step pulls off.
Broken or leaking pipes
Water, sewer or gas lines can snap when the ground shifts.
Retaining walls that lean,
Crack or push out at the bottom.