Steps to Take When Buying a House with Foundation Problems

When buying a house, you will rarely find a property that has everything as you want it. Some have the wrong paint colours and others may have small backyards. Worse still, some houses may be perfect inside and out but have foundation problems. What if the home of your dreams has a damaged foundation? 

The foundation is the anchor that holds the entire house. A problematic foundation may spell problems for the home. However, houses with foundation problems sell at a lower price than the average market rate. You can buy at a lower price and make repairs. As you consider this option, here are a few steps to follow.

Examine the Extent of Damage

The first step is to inspect the house for signs of foundation damage. A visual inspection can give you a clue as to how severe the damage is. Look out for the following indicators of extensive foundation damage:

  • Cracks and fractures on the walls and floors in the house
  • Doors and windows sticking or not opening properly
  • Gaps between exterior doors or windows and their frames
  • Sagging or uneven floors

The severity of the problems determines how damaged the foundation is. For example, deep cracks that run on the wall from the ceiling to the floor plus sagging floors are a sign that the foundation is extensively damaged. 

Get Expert Opinion

Once you've confirmed that the foundation is damaged, you need to get an expert opinion. A foundation inspector or construction engineer can adequately assess the damage, ascertain its extent and advise on the best repair methods. They will also give a quote on how much it may cost you to repair the foundation.

The inspection may cost you money, but it will be worth it in the long run. Foundation repairs are costly, and the last thing you want is to pay full price for a house that has existing problems. Once the report is out, you can use the repair quote to negotiate the price of the home so you can be able to pay for the repairs.

Repair the Foundation

Foundation repairs depend on the type of foundation and the extent of the damage. For shallow foundations that are on stable soil, traditional techniques, such as concrete pouring, are used. However, if the foundation is deep or is laid on unstable ground, the contractor may use advanced methods such as piling, using concrete piers and slab jacking.

Before commencing the repairs, ask the contractor about the length of the project so you can determine how long you have to wait to move in. Minor repairs may take a few days while significant ones can take a few weeks.

A faulty foundation should not scare you from buying a house, especially if it means buying at a lower price. Hire a professional repairs contractor and you can restore the home to its excellent state.

For more information, contact a foundation crack repair company.


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