The foundation is one of the most important parts of the home, but most homeowners spend very little time thinking about their home foundation. In fact, it is probably something that you don’t think about at all.
For the most part, this is understandable. The average person does not know very much about the home foundation, and as long as there are no obvious problems, they find very little reason for concern. The problem is that many of the signs that can indicate foundation trouble are not obviously associated with the foundation, and some would go unnoticed unless you know what to look for.
If you want to keep your home safe and protect the investment, it can help to know a little bit about the signs that can indicate foundation problems. If you notice any of these signs, you can then call in a professional inspector for a closer look, and they will be able to assess any issues and provide you with recommendations concerning possible remedies to correct the situation.
Foundation problems in the area
If you start hearing that your neighbors have been experiencing foundation problems and hiring contractors to perform foundation repairs, then you might want to be concerned about the state of your home foundation.
When structures are built in the same area, it is very likely that the foundations of these buildings will be subject to the same soil conditions. When a number of structures in the same region end up with foundation problems, this could indicate that there is some issue with the ground in which these foundations were set. If you start to notice that a lot of foundation work is going on around your home, you might want to hire an inspector to come look at your foundation. The inspector might not find any problems, but it is better to play it safe.
Damage you can see
With some foundation problems, the signs are visible. If you don’t know, you might not realize that they could indicate a problem with the foundation, so a homeowner does need to know what to look for. Among the visible signs, you have cracks in the foundation, cracks in exterior and interior walls, sloping floors and walls that may have started to bulge. Another point that you may want to consider is your windows and doors. When windows and doors start to stick or become hard to open and close, this can be a sign that you have foundation issues.
Drainage problems
When a home or the land on which it sits has drainage problems, this can be a sign that there might be foundation issues. If you notice that the property experiences significant soil erosion after heavy rain, then it might be a good idea to get your foundation inspected. You may also want to consider the drainage around the house itself and the gutters and downspouts. If your gutters and downspouts are not properly channeling water away from the home, this can damage the foundation. Furthermore, if you see puddles and pooling around the foundation, this can be a sign that there is a problem.
Any of the signs mentioned here could be an indication that your home has foundation problems, and if you observe any of them, it is time to get your foundation inspected. If you have been living in the home for many years and haven’t had an inspection since you moved in, then you may also want to consider hiring a professional. While there is no schedule with which you need to have a foundation inspected, it is just a good preventative step to take, and it can help to get you out ahead of any serious problems.
When you hire Howson Inspections, you get a home inspection from and experienced professional. Mike Howson is a CREIA certified inspector that has been providing home inspection services for California’s homeowners and realtors for more than fifteen years. If you suspect that your home needs a professional inspection of any sort, contact Howson Inspections today.
