The foundation is by far the most important thing for any home. It is after all the beacon where the rest of the house stands on.
Foundations are traditionally designed to be super strong and can last for years without the need for any maintenance.
Despite this, sometimes foundations can get damaged and it helps to make sure you fix the issues as fast as you can. But how do you know it's time to fix the foundation? Well, it starts with a foundation inspection.
Here are some of the signs that may suggest you need to get your foundation inspected right away:
Foundation Problems Among Neighbours
If some of your neighbors have been getting foundation issues all at once, it could suggest there is something wrong with the soil around the neighborhood.
For this reason, it could just be a matter of time before the same issues engulf your home. Getting an early inspection is going to save you from a lot of trouble.
Remember if these issues are detected early, it will be way easier to deal with them and also cheaper.
Signs of Foundation Damage
There are also certain situations where the signs of foundation damage become all too apparent to ignore.
For example, you may notice the appearance of cracks on foundation walls. In some cases, the floor will slant and windows and doors will not open and close correctly.
If you have seen any of these signs, call in a foundation expert for further inspection. These experts will diagnose the issue and give you a list of the things you need to do to deal with the problem. You will also get a quote for the overall foundation inspection cost.
Routine Step Before Buying or Selling a Home
It is also advisable to get a foundation inspection in case you want to sell or buy a home.
This does not of course mean that there is something wrong with the foundation. But it is a great way to understand the quality of the home you are about to buy or sell.
After all, the last thing you need is to buy a home that has issues with the foundation. The amount of money you will need to fix the issue will be nothing compared to the foundation inspection cost.
Pay Attention to Drainage Problems
One of the clearest signs that your home’s foundation could be in trouble is poor drainage. If the house has always done well to drain water without issues, it wouldn't make sense that all of sudden it can’t, right?
Although drainage problems can be caused by many things, in most cases the foundation is the main culprit. Simply get the inspection done and see if the issue can be rectified as soon as possible.
Slopping and Sagging
By the time your home has started to slope or sag, it means the foundation is already massively damaged. But it could still get worse. In fact, failure to fix a foundation problem puts you and your family at risk.
The house could collapse anytime. Nonetheless, even in cases where foundation damage is visible to anyone, a professional inspection is still needed. This affects the kind of solutions that will be taken to fix the problem.
How to Get Foundation Inspection
Now that you have a list of some of the signs to look out for before getting a footing inspection, the next thing is to decide where to get these services. Many contractors specialize in foundation repair.
Simply ask for references from people around you and see if they can recommend a good company. You can also do a simple online search of foundation repair services near you.
Nonetheless, no matter what you choose, make sure they have enough experience in dealing with complex foundation issues.
Only use a licensed foundation inspector. That way, you can be sure that this is a person that has enough skills and expertise to assist you.
