Home Inspections: 6 Signs of Foundations Problems
A home’s foundation is by far the most important structure you hardly ever think about. Foundations can last around 80-100 years. While foundations can last a lifetime, some may be nearing their lifecycle or were built poorly and decaying fast.
If you own a home and are worried about foundation issues, you should contact a home inspector to verify any potential problems. This is particularly important if you are planning on selling your home.
If you are purchasing a home, always hire an inspector to check for foundation issues on the home you are considering. After all, foundation issues are a common cause of failed home inspections.
What Happens to a Home With Foundation Issues?
If a home has foundation issues, it can pose significant problems for the home down the road. Many issues are caused by improper grading. Improper grading can allow rain and snow to seep into the home's interior, causing damage like mold and electrical wiring damage.
When water pools around homes with improper grading, it seeps into cinder blocks and through the basement floor. This causes cracks and decay and causes the foundation materials to deteriorate.
When your foundation is weakened, the whole house is compromised. This means that your home can shift or lean, which can cause roof problems or cracks in your walls and other areas of your home. Bottom line: it can be very dangerous.
Signs the Foundation Might Not Pass a Home Inspection
Here are five signs a home has foundation problems that a home inspector may notice:
1. Water in the Basement After a Storm
While this may not always be a sign your foundation has issues, if you have water in your basement after a storm, it is a strong possibility.
If water accumulates quickly in certain areas of your basement during and after a rainstorm, this most likely points to foundation issues. If it accumulates slowly throughout, this could just mean the ground is over-saturated with water, or your gutters may not be working properly.
2. Cracks in the Foundation
Whether your house is old or new, the Earth still moves and shifts constantly. The Earth’s movement, besides time, is the number one suspect of a failing foundation.
If you see cracks around the foundation of your home, you will want to start investigating the state of decay.
3. Sagging Floors or Ceiling
You may not always look directly up and down most days, but when you do, you usually find something you weren’t looking for.
If you feel a part of your floor is lower in some places of your house, or if you look up and see cracks on your increasingly sagging ceiling, your foundation may be on its last legs.
4. Cracks on Interior Walls
Cracks moving up diagonally from doors or walls are a sign of foundation deterioration. This is caused by the earth pushing or pulling the foundation, forcing your wallboards to stress.
5. Any Movement/Separation on Trim & Other Fixtures
If there are cracks in any of the following:
- Bathroom tile
- Exterior trim
- Backsplash
- Kitchen Countertops
You most likely have a foundation problem. These may take time to show themselves, and when they do, they will be subtle. However, once you notice one, you will start to see plenty more.
6. Gaps Around Windows & Doors
If the home has shifted, then it could cause gaps around windows and doors. Foundation issues affect the alignment of these parts of your home, which causes the gaps. This can also cause heating and cooling costs to rise.
Rely on the Home Inspection Experts at DMC
If you’ve found the perfect home, hire an inspector to ensure no foundation or other problems are present. After all, once you sign the paperwork, any problems that crop up later are your responsibility. Protect yourself and your investment by hiring a professional home inspector.
We are an InterNACHI and ASHI-certified real estate inspector with 150 points of home inspection for every property we work with. We will leave no stone unturned as we uncover the true health of your home.
Book an inspection with DMC Inspections right now, or give us a call at 612-310-1692 today!