Much like doctors provide regular physicals to maintain a healthy body, it requires and expert to ensure the health of your home’s foundation is maintained.
An inspection takes a comprehensive look at everything from floors, windows, doors, and ceilings. You need to ensure you take the necessary steps to prevent foundation damage beforehand so the issue does not get out of hand later.
What is a Foundation Inspection?
A foundation inspection is a process in which your contractor thoroughly examines your foundation to determine whether there are any issues with its stability. It involves using industry-standard tools to determine whether there is any underlying damage.
A thorough foundation inspection includes both interior and exterior inspection. In the interior inspection, your professional inspector looks at your home’s doors, windows, walls, and floors. During the exterior inspection, they look at your exterior foundation walls. If they determine water damage, they will look for the cause and may inspect your drainage, gutters, and grading. Usually, a thorough foundation inspection takes an hour or two. After a thorough inspection, your contractor will recommend effective solutions for any damage.
Why is Foundation Inspection Important?
A foundation inspection is an important way to ensure your foundation’s stability and overall condition. Inspecting your foundation before damage has become serious helps you identify structural issues, such as shifting, settling, and cracks, in order to avoid costly repairs. It also helps you maintain the value and safety of your home.
Foundation inspection helps you detect issues at an early stage and prevent small problems from escalating and causing serious structural damage. If you’re planning a major renovation, a foundation inspection is a must. It helps you determine whether your foundation can support the modifications or not.
6 Signs You Need A Foundation Inspection
Foundation issues can show signs all throughout the house, here are 9 areas to look for signs of trouble:
1. Sagging Floors
If you notice there are uneven floors in your home, this can indicate problems with the stability of the crawl space. Our foundation maintenance experts can diagnose the appropriate solution for this problem. Other common causes for sagging flows are gutter problems or improper landscape grading.
2. Bowing Walls
Often bowing walls in your home can indicate that there is something is exerting pressure, which typically comes from one of several sources. Sometimes it’s a simple age issue, where the wall will require support or replacement. Other common causes are poor foundation construction or invasive tree roots.
3. Cracks in Drywall
Much like bowing walls, cracks in your drywall can indicate undue pressure. Drywall cracks are often a relatively easy fix, but they can signal that the foundation or frame is under growing pressure. With a foundation inspection, and expert can pinpoint the underlying problem to prevent cracks before they show up.
4. Cracked Concrete Walls
In basement concrete walls, cracks present in three ways: vertically, horizontally, or in a stair-step fashion. Vertical cracks are the least worrying, but all are good reasons to have your home’s foundation inspected immediately. It may simply be concrete shrinkage, or it may indicate deeper foundation problems.
5. Cracks in Slab Floors
This is probably one of the first symptoms a homeowner will notice, even with an untrained eye. If you notice a crack in the slab floors of your home, a professional inspection can find out just how serious the crack is and what exactly is causing it. These can vary widely in length and height, but they all require an expert to ensure they are not more serious and require major foundation repair.
6. Damp Crawl Space
Water can seep through foundation cracks and cause excess moisture in your crawl space. This can become a serious structural issue that a homeowner can remedy with basement waterproofing or crawl space repair. Crawl space encapsulation can also resolve a damp crawl space.
There’s a fix for any problem a foundation inspection may reveal. The biggest threat to your structure and finances is delaying taking action or ignoring it entirely.
How Often Do I Need to Have My Home’s Foundation Inspected?
You should consider getting your foundation inspected every 5 to 7 years, even if you don’t notice any issues. However, if you live in an area prone to flooding, heavy rainfall, snowfall, or earthquakes, consider having your foundation inspected after each incident. Also, consider inspecting your foundation if you see cracks in your walls and floors or notice sticking doors or windows. A prompt inspection will help you detect problems and solve them before they turn into costly repairs.
When Should I Get My Foundation Inspected?
We suggest you get your foundation inspected in any of the following cases:
- It’s been 5 to 7 years since your last inspection.
- If your home is older than 30 years, consider inspecting it every 2 to 3 years.
- If you’re thinking of buying a new home, it’s better to inspect its foundation before you do so.
- Make sure to inspect your home’s foundation before every major renovation.
- Get your foundation inspected after natural disasters like floods or earthquakes.
Foundation Inspection Costs
The cost of a foundation inspection can vary depending on several factors:
- Type of property you have (i.e., residential or commercial building)
- Size of your home and foundation
- Location of your home
- Type of foundation (i.e., basement, slab, or crawl space)
- The severity of any foundation damage
Are Foundation Inspections Worth It?
Inspecting your home’s foundation is a smart investment. It provides you with peace of mind and helps you identify early signs of damage before they escalate into costly repairs.
Addressing foundation issues such as sagging floors, bowing walls, or cracks in the foundation walls keeps your home safe and structurally sound. A professional inspection provides the reassurance that your home is stable and ready to weather the years ahead.
At American Eagle Professional Services Inc., our experienced team is dedicated to providing reliable foundation inspections to keep your home in optimal condition. Schedule a free inspection with us today.
