What To Look For When Buying & Selling A Property
Picture finding your dream home on the market and attending a showing. You enter the doorway to a beautiful living area with lots of windows and it's exactly how you pictured it. An absolute show stopper. As you continue the showing you enter the basement area, an odor strikes your nose. Something old, musty like. You walk around the basement and see the furnace, the laundry area, but then you see it; water stains on the walls. Buzz kill. This home has a water issue. You walk around the outside of the property and look at the beautiful landscaping, and right there behind the beautiful butterfly bush there is a large gaping crack. Oh no! First water, now foundation? Should buying a home with foundation problems be scary? What about a home that has foundation AND water problems? Major repairs or defects found during home inspections can cause home buyers to forgo purchasing an otherwise perfect home.
Spotting The Problems
The foundation of the home influence's the integrity of the structure. Detecting a foundation issue may be tricky, but there are clues that can signal a potential issue. A home may have curb appeal, but the outside can give clues indication potential foundation problems. If the exterior has stairs that are sinking or visible cracks, this can indicate a failing foundation wall.
Exterior Wall Cracks
Every home has a particular style, whether it be a ranch, cape cod, etc. and the land that it sits on has a grade to it. You may not be able to see more than two or three feet of the foundation from the exterior of the home. If you do notice any cracks on the exterior of the foundation wall, pay attention to the pattern and direction if it is horizontal, or diagonal. Cracks can be a sign of foundation failure. Horizontal cracks may mean a wall is bowing inward, while diagonal cracks may mean there is a settling foundation.
A Cracked Or Leaning Chimney
A cracked or leaning chimney is another sign of foundation settlement or structural damage. If there is a gap between the siding and the chimney, this can signal that the foundation below has shifted or there may be a drainage issue. If this problem has existed for some time, there is a possibility for additional damage by insect and water intrusion.
Stair-Step Cracking in Brick Homes
Foundation wall cracks and cracks in brick exterior walls above the foundation can indicate an issue. If a home has veneer or brick siding, you may want to look for stair-step cracking. This type of crack typically appears in mortar joints of brick walls. The same stair-step cracking pattern can be found in the foundation wall below and will show up on the interior side of the foundation as well - in the basement or crawl space.
Gaps Around Doors and Windows
Gaps above windows and doors or around the garage door can signal a problem with foundation settlement. A certain amount of foundation settlement is normal with changing soils and moisture levels around the home, uneven soils can cause structural integrity issues.
Sinking Stairs or Porches
Like door and window gaps, sinking porch slabs or stairs on the exterior of the home can indicate a foundation issue. It's a sign there's a shift in the soils below, and probably a shift in the foundation wall as well.
Foundation Issue Clues on the Interior
Apart from seeing obvious cracks and deteriorating walls in the interior of the home, there are important other clues that can help you identify if there are foundation issues with the property.
Drywall Cracks
If a crack in the foundation wall seems obvious, cracks in the drywall that covers the foundation wall, or even cracks in the drywall on the first or even second floors of the home can also be indicators of a foundation issue. Most times these drywall cracks can appear near window or door frames and be a signal that the foundation wall has shifted.
Sloping Floors and Cracked Floor Tiles
Spotting a sloping floor isn't always as easy as it would seem. A leveling tool is helpful to detect small, but potentially troublesome sloping floors. If a tiled floor has cracks, this could be another sign that the foundation below has shifted.
Sticking Windows and Doors
Windows or doors that are difficult to open and close can be an indicator of an underlying foundation problem. Because this problem is also common homes with normal foundation settlement, it's not always a sign. However, if you notice sticking doors and windows, along with other signs that I've mentioned, it's worth having a professional out to take a look.
Crawl Space Or Basement Moisture
Almost all foundation problems are caused by the soil and moisture surrounding your home, so it's no surprise that if you find water damage, signs of previous water damage, high humidity levels or moisture detection, the structural integrity of the home could be at risk. Basement and crawl space water issues are cause for concern regardless of any structural damage implications, so if you notice anything, it's best to have a professional out for an inspection.
Suspecting the Home has a Foundation Problem
While it can be a bummer to learn that your dream home has a foundation problem, it's worth researching before you bail on the sale. The issue may not be as severe as you think, or it could be an opportunity to negotiate the cost of the repairs in to the price of the home. Be sure to:
- Ask the seller if they have had a foundation inspection or if they had foundation repair work done in the past.
- Get an expert opinion from a reputable foundation contractor.
- Research the cost of repairs, get a free inspection & estimate from a reputable contractor.
- Check with your financing company if the issue could hurt your chances of becoming financed.
What if the home has had foundation work completed in the past?
It's a common misconception that a repaired home is a bad home. Truth be told, foundation repairs happen all the time. In some cases, the repairs can make a foundation stronger than the original construction. If a foundation problem is not fixed, it will hurt the value of a home. If the foundation repair was done correctly, and comes with a warranty, it can add value to the home. Gather as much information as you can from the homeowner and the company who performed the repairs and make an informed decision.
If you are considering purchasing or selling a home with foundation problems, taking the time to found out as much as you can about the problem, and what solutions it will take to permanently fix them, will help to preserve the value of the home. Liberty Basement Systems, offers lifetime transferrable warranties, long-term solutions, quality and a standard of excellence that is unmatched. You can schedule a free inspection & estimate by calling 1-570-998-4540 or by contacting us online.