Buying a House? Check the Foundation First
The foundation of a home is something you probably don’t think a lot about until there are problems with it. However, a home’s foundation is an especially important thing to inspect before you make such a large purchase. Skipping a foundation inspection could mean you’ll deal with costly and inconvenient repairs down the line.
Although it’s not possible to safeguard against trouble in every circumstance, there are several things you can do to give the foundation a thorough evaluation before forking over your hard-earned cash. Want the opinion of an experienced professionals? Homebuyers and real estate brokers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area rely on Align Foundation Repair to uncover hidden foundation problems in homes for sale.
Checking for Cracks
Walk around the perimeter of any house you’re thinking of buying, and closely inspect the foundation wall. Although you can’t diagnose foundation problems from cracks alone, they could warn that the conditions are ripe for more severe structural problems.
If the foundation has concrete walls, hairline cracks usually aren’t serious. However, if they are larger, it’s possible that the builders didn’t use metal reinforcement bars when laying the foundation.
If you notice any of the following foundation issues, call Align Foundation Repair to inspect the structural integrity of the home:
- Cracks in the middle of the foundation
- Vertical cracks that are wider at the top than the bottom
- Cracks that are wider than a quarter inch
- Drywall, window, and other problems
Inspecting the windows and doors
Don’t purchase a home before inspecting how every element functions. Open and close all of the windows and doors, and see whether any of them stick or otherwise fail to fit in the frames well. Doors and windows that don’t close properly might just be a flaw in installation, or they could indicate foundation damage.
Additionally, look for cracks in the interior walls near doors and windows. In most cases, these will be normal, hairline shrinkage cracks. Cracks that are wide, and those that look like they are growing, should be checked out before making a purchase.
Weighing the Risks
As should now be clear, certain kinds of foundation problems are riskier than others. When deciding whether the benefits are worth the risks, always get an estimate to find out how much it would cost to repair the present problems. Have a Dallas-Fort Worth foundation repair professional assess the issues that you see.
Align Foundation Repair, LLC is built on a sturdy foundation of core values, including our unbeatable commitment to quality workmanship and our friendly customer service. Contact us before you purchase a home in the DFW area that might have foundation problems to request a free estimate. Happy house hunting!
