Luckily, foundation issues do not necessarily mean your house is in danger of collapsing. If they are not addressed immediately, they may result in mold and other side effects and hurt the value of your house if you sell it in the future. Often, these problems do not appear overnight and start small, but continue to worsen over time. If you suspect your home may have foundation problems, you should contact a structural engineer to inspect it. A foundation repair expert can diagnose the problem, make recommendations for repairs, and even determine whether your house is unsafe in its current condition.
When determining whether your house has foundation problems, you should look for sagging floors and distorted ceilings. You should also check exterior siding for sagging or warped boards, which can be an indication of a sagging foundation. Cracks in brick mortar or stucco are other indicators of foundation problems. Wood or vinyl siding can also warp due to shifting. Regardless of whether the siding is painted or not, cracks in exterior siding can be a warning sign of a faulty foundation.
It is important to disclose any foundation issues to prospective buyers in writing, and most states require sellers to disclose any problems upfront. This not only removes any ambiguity in a buyer’s mind, but it also assures them that you have gotten all the necessary information. If the issue is too serious, the buyer might decide to buy the house anyway and ask for a big reduction. Even if the buyer later discovers that there is a problem, they can sue the seller. Moreover, the buyer should be provided with a written assessment of the damage to ensure that the buyer is not left in the dark.
If you suspect your house has foundation problems, you must call a structural engineer to inspect the problem. Cracks in walls and ceilings are common in older houses and are indicative of a foundation problem. Cracks in brick or sheetrock should be wide and zigzag and almost reach the height of the wall. Cracks in the wall-ceiling junction should also be checked. Cracks in the floor are also an indication of foundation problems.
If you want to sell your home quickly, you should disclose the damage and disclose it in the sale listing. Potential buyers will not appreciate your concealment of foundation issues, and they may even refuse to make an offer if they discover them during a home inspection. If foundation problems are discovered after the sale, the buyer’s lender might cancel the loan and the home sale may fail. A foundation problem can even affect the value of your home and your property.
If you notice cracks on the walls, floors, and ceilings, you should contact a professional engineer. Foundation problems can also cause mold and mildew to form in the interior of your home. The foundation issues in your home are more common in older homes, especially stucco-covered ones. While they can be alarming, they are not necessarily the result of a serious problem. Therefore, it is imperative to have a structural engineer evaluate the problem to make sure your home doesn’t collapse.
