When you’re buying a home or remodeling your current home, there are plenty of things on your mind, and it can be easy to forget the essential part of the house, the foundation! The foundation is what holds your house up, and failing to spot and remedy problems can end up costing you big money in the long run. So, before you start picking out new paint colors and cupboards, make sure you check the foundation.
Signs of a foundation problem
You don’t need a degree or tons of experience to notice the signs of a damaged or failing foundation. Some of them may be staring you right in the face.
- Misaligned door and windows – This can signify a settling foundation and happens in every house. It is not necessarily a sign of a damaged foundation.
- Doors that stick or don’t fully close – If this is just one door, it might not be a foundation problem. So, start looking for other signs of a foundation problem.
- Hard to open windows – See above. If all your windows have a problem, this is a good indication it’s a foundation problem. However, if it’s just one window, look for other signs of a foundation problem.
- Uneven floors or staircases – If you drop something round on the floor, does it always roll toward one area?
- Cracks in the drywall
- Gaps in wall seams or between the ceiling and the wall – Even slight gaps could indicate a foundation problem.
- Large cracks in the exterior concrete – Stair step cracks in brickwork or masonry are a sure sign the foundation has moved.
- Signs of flooding in the basement or perimeter of the house
Get a professional foundation inspection before signing on the dotted line
If you notice any of the above signs, it’s a good idea to have a professional home inspection done, focusing on the foundation. While this will incur some additional costs, it will be worth it in the long run.
Foundation repair options
When looking for a house, a bad foundation is not always a deal-breaker because foundations can be repaired. However, it would be wise to negotiate the price of the house to accommodate these additional expenses.
Foundation repair options include,
If you’re concerned a home you’re thinking about buying might have a foundation issue, contact us today.
