What to look for in Foundations

It goes without saying that the foundation of any home is the bedrock that it rests on. Without a solid foundation nothing of any great permanence can be achieved. It's not an exaggeration to say that with a bad foundation your home could fall down.  A bad foundation is a serious problem on any property and can result in a buyer asking for a lower price or that corrective repairs be done.

Most homes have what's called a peripheral foundation. That means the main part of the foundation runs along the outside of the house. Of course the biggest concern is cracks. What may look like a hairline fracture one day can result in a crack that spreads allowing moisture to get in the house. Almost every brick or cement foundation has some cracks. This is something that the homeowner cannot get away from and should not despair over. Generally, foundation repairs done properly do not affect the price of a house.  In fact, some of these cracks appeared soon after the foundation is poured as the house settles.

The single biggest cause of foundation cracks is unfortunately improper construction.  Usually, while the cracks in foundations are indicative of more serious problems, they can be repaired. One thing that needs to be considered is the depth of the foundation.  A foundation that is not dug deeply enough will not support the weight of the house and eventually, as the earth shifts, the house will collapse. One of the first places to inspect for cracks is the outside wall foundation.  The next step might be a little harder as it is suggested that you look at the wall from the inside of the house next. Very often there are materials and furnishings propped up against the interior walls and some inspectors will not move them to look.

When inspecting inside of the foundation, make sure to look at cracks and patched areas you noticed from the outside. Often a crack that was a problem from the outside will not have been done inside and this shows up quite clearly on the inspection. As well as cracks, it is important to look for walls that bow or otherwise look out of plumb.  Make sure to look at the walls from various angles as the light will affect your perspective on what you’re looking at. Remember that sinking or moving walls represent a serious structural problem and should be looked at by an expert.  Often these kinds of structural problems are the difference in a house that gets sold and one that stays on the market until repairs are made.

It's very important to remember how important a good foundation is. Although some cosmetic considerations get more attention, a solid foundation is what the entire house rests on and it deserves the care and attention of a thorough home inspection done by a professional inspector who will see these issues as they crop up.