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Foundation Problems 101

By Morgan Saylor

House hunting is exciting, and if you haven’t already found the home of your dreams, what should you be aware of when it comes to your future home’s foundation?

Foundation problems can be fixable and aren’t always as horrendous as you might assume – here’s what Gordon Hurd says causes foundation problems:

The main reasons for problems come from the deterioration of stem walls, foundation settlement, and foundation heave.

Indications there could be a foundation problem according to realtor.com:

  • Cracks on a walls, floors, columns, and window and door openings
  • Doors or windows that stick when you try to open or close them
  • Bowing basement walls
  • Sagging crawl space floors
  • Leaning chimneys
  • Sinking front porches and stoops
  • Overall water intrusion or damage

These types of things can be spotted in an open house, but would need to be verified as “serious” or not by a professional.

How do you know for sure?

If you think a potential buy has a leaning chimney or sinking porch just by looking, you’ll want the opinion of a licensed home inspector to begin the process. The inspector can give you directives on what may be wrong, or recommend others to make “more sophisticated determinations”.

If there is a foundation problem, Hurd writes that this isn’t a reason to walk away from a home you really want – as foundation issues are like other home repairs.

For more on foundation problems and how to deal – check out Gordon Hurd’s take here. [INSERT LINK]

Source: http://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/signs-of-foundation-problems/?iid=rdc_news_hp_carousel_theLatest

Tags: Home, home inspection, foundation, 101