Home Inspector Roseville | Home Inspection 651-666-5602
Unless you notice major damage or something completely out of the ordinary, you probably don’t spend much time wondering if all is well with you home’s foundation. The fact of the matter is not all foundation problems are easy to spot. Home Inspector Roseville is dedicated to your home’s safety and integrity … and that starts with a solid foundation.
Our home inspector will conduct a visual inspection of your foundation including inside and outside of your home and look at these areas below and these common issues that may be happening:
Windows and Doors
A wall becomes weaker at the locations where openings, such as windows and doors, are created. These weak points are often where foundation problems begin. The three most common signs of trouble in a foundation are:
- Gaps- These spaces will form between the wall and window frames, door frames and the floor.
- Cracks- These extend out in the drywall from the corners of windows and doors.
- Separation- This is when a window or door itself separates from its framing or the finish on the exterior of the home.
- Check for alignment issues by opening and closing all windows and doors to ensure they are working properly. Door latches and locks will also be examined.
Floors
Walking through a house the inspector will look for any sagging, bowing, bouncing or cracks in the floor. An uneven floor may indicate a gap or separation from the wall. The inspector may use a laser level to help determine if there is a slope.
Cracks in Ceilings and Walls
Drywall cracks inside of a home usually indicate foundation settlement. These cracks tend to be more visible in the upstairs rooms. The following types of cracks are signs of trouble:
- Corner cracks- These are seen extending out from windows and doors.
- Seam cracks- This type of crack will follow the seam in drywall.
- Tape cracks- These form when the tape is pulled, buckled or ripped.
- Nail popping- When the nails pop free from the drywall, this is the sign of a serious problem.
- All cracks that are found will be noted in the report along with a description regarding the width, direction and severity.
Basement Walls and Interior Foundation
The inspector will be looking at the walls in the basement and crawl space. They will look for horizontal or zigzag pattern cracks that form along the mortar lines as both patterns indicate there is settlement and vertical cracks if the basement walls are made of poured concrete.
Exterior
In the final stage, the exterior of the home will be checked for sinking, shifting or other changes, especially around patio areas and chimneys. In many cases, a chimney will stand on its own foundation and is at a higher risk for settlement and separation from a house. If the home is made out of brick they will look for cracking along the mortar lines with wider cracks indicating the walls are rotating in an outward direction.
By hiring a home inspector to conduct your foundation inspection will be the first step to stabilization and avoiding a decline in value. If you are buying a home or are concerned about your current foundations condition, give us a call today to schedule a foundation inspection!
Home Inspector Roseville | Home Inspection 651-666-5602