Home Inspector Faribault | Home Inspections – 507-721-3120
When it comes to getting your home inspected an inspection of your foundation is a vital piece in knowing the home you are acquiring is safe and in good condition. We have listed below the following areas that our inspector will inspect during your foundation inspection.
1. Walk the exterior perimeter of your home
The inspector will start by walking the exterior of your home, check the foundation walls, look for areas that bulge or lean which can indicate uneven load on the foundation. They will check that both the foundation walls and home walls are flush and level.
They will also look for any potential water damage or cracks in concrete, standing water that can cause soil to shift and wood to rot which can lead to serious damage, look for broken pipes in the home and moisture found on the exterior of the home should be watched carefully.
Cracks in concrete can be harder to diagnose, as some cracks in concrete can be expected. When concrete cures, it shrinks, resulting in some minor cracks. They will look for any cracks that are greater than ¼ inch in size. Horizontal cracks are also an indicator of stress on the foundation.
2. Walk the interior perimeter of your home
Similar to the exterior, the inspector will also inspect the interior walls of the home. They will look for any cracks or separation that may indicate issues with the foundation, look for any bulging or leaning walls, inspect the floors and look for any buckling or bulging.
3. Check windows and doors
The inspector will check all doors and windows and check to ensure they open smoothly and close without difficulty. They will check the doors to see if they jam, if they shows signs of struggle to close it may be an indicator that the foundation has shifted.
4. Survey your crawl space
If your home has a crawl space they inspector will look for any moisture or mold, which can rot wood supports and inspect all supports for warping or rotting which can lead to a weak support for the home.
5. Check your pipes
Excessive or prolonged moisture is one of the leading causes of foundation problems. The inspector will check the exterior, interior, and crawl space for moisture and check pipes for leaks.
6. Observe foundation supports
If we have access to review your foundation supports this would be an essential part of any inspection. They will check to see the system of supports, concrete, or piers should be in good condition, check that they are level and none are buckling, metal or steel piers for rust and tops of piers should be connected flush to beams.
These are some of the basics they will be inspecting during the inspection. Catching a foundation problem early can save you money by preventing damage to floors, walls, and the rest of your home. When in doubt about potential foundation problems be sure to call Closer Look Home Inspectors for all your needs.