Home Inspection Breakdown - Foundation
The foundation is the framework which supports your home at the edges and keeps it in place. It prevents it from moving in the earth that it resides. The foundation also protects against moisture and cold. Foundations are built differently based on location where you live. The presence of a basement also affects what materials are used for a foundation.
Cracks in a foundation can lead to water leaks, structural defects, and vulnerablilties in natural disasters like earthquakes. Settling will occur over time usually making slight cracks and unevenness, sometimes this can be more dramatic though.
A home inspector will figure out what type of foundation your home has and examine it for potential defects. Inspections include both internal and external exam focused primarily in the basement or crawl space. You can expect to pay 15% of a new home budget on the foundation.
The 4 main types of foundations are:
- Stone, mortar, and brick which were used in the oldest homes and are prone to cracking and leaking.
- Concrete and steel reinforcements this is a good type of foundation to have because they are easier to inspect and have more insect protection than some of the other types.
- Concrete slabs are just a single piece of concrete. These are the most difficult to inspect because most of the foundation is hidden. They also are more favorable to insect infestation.
- Cement block foundations are common amoung homes with basements. These type are fairly easy to inspect, but the smallest of cracks can lead to major damage.
Whatever the type of foundation your home has inspectors will look for moisture pooling or penetrating the smallest cracks or hairline cracks that form in the walls. In severe cases walls will begin to buckle and slant especially at the corners. Dirt may begin to seep into the basement or the floors will drop.
Some foundation settling will almost always happen especially in older homes, but inspection can help determine the amount of damage and if repairs are needed. Sealing and reinforcements may be all it takes to sturdy up a home with early signs of problems and prevent very expensive repairs in the long run.
