Beware of the House

So, how do you know when your house is trying to kill you?

I'm not too sure how to answer that, but I think ours is.

Case in point, the following pictures.

Do you know what this is?

This is the house trying to kill me.

Can you figure it out?

Here's another view.

By now you should be able to figure it out.

If you can't figure it now I don't know what to say.

It is the top piece of the mop board at the top of the stairs in the second floor landing.

Now, you might be asking "how is this innocent piece of molding trying to kill you?".

Simple, it jumped out at me and about snagged my pants. That's all I need - another fall down the stairs.

I know it doesn't look like it is out that far, however, I took the picture AFTER I shoved it back in place.

Now don't you think this to be odd? Yesterday, and all the days before it, this piece of molding was flush up against the wall. Now it has popped out. What gives?

I'm starting to worry about this place. Little things like this are starting to appear. My first thought is that the house is settling due to a problem with the foundation. However, there are no cracks, snags, or bulges in the foundation!

The only time I have seen something like this happen is when a board is put under pressure due to shifting, moving or some such. On top of this we have noticed that the hardwood flooring on the second floor also looks 'funny' and some of the stair steps seem to be shifting as well.

The ONLY thing that keeps coming to mind is that the second floor landing and stairs are trying to fall away from the rest of the house!!

I have done everything I can to see if this is the case, but each and every 'check' turns up nothing!

Anyone have an idea of some other way to check this out. I do not want start ripping good plaster off the walls just to see the bones! Besides, we are not at the point to take on a task like this - i.e. ripping out the stairway and landings.

Now what?

Well, till next time...

Cheers!
Larry