When you reach that moment in life when you can finally start looking for your very first home, it can be an exciting, and sometimes overwhelming process. You spend your evenings and weekends scouring the markets and going to open houses. You drool over granite countertops and dream about ensuite bathrooms. But as you glance through each home, it’s important to know what to pay attention to beyond the surface level. Finding a home that you love, only to realize that it comes along with some major issues such as foundation problems can quickly turn that dream home into a nightmare.
So during your hunt for the perfect home, keep an eye out for these signs of foundation problems so that you can avoid any potential expensive outcomes down the road.
Cracks Along Walls and Doorways
Cracks are one of the first signs that can point to potential problems. Look out for any cracks above doorways and windows, and ones that appear to be deep and appear to stretch far across the surface. Generally, cracks that appear on the second and third floors are ones to look out for. But a house with an abundance of deep-set cracks could be your first clue.
Jammed Doors or Windows
While you walk through those open houses, test out some of the doors and windows. If they appear to get jammed or stick when you try to open them, this can signify a potential shift in the foundation of the home. This is especially worrisome if it occurs with multiple doors and windows.
Cracks in the Foundation
Looking at the foundation, chances are that many homes will have some cracks throughout it. But it’s important to know which ones are of concern. So as you take a walk around the exterior of the home, look out for any cracks that appear to form “steps” in shape. These can be found along joints between concrete blocks, usually.
Horizontal cracks are the most severe type of crack, so if you notice these, take that as a sign that you should be looking elsewhere.
Sunken Areas or Leaning
While you’re keeping an eye out for those cracks, observe the home for any areas that appear to be sunken in, leaning, or even bulging. If you have to use a level to check, do so, because any of these factors can point to a serious shift in the foundation of the home and a weakened structural integrity.
Always equip yourself with the knowledge of what signs to look out for that will tell you whether or not a house will come along with a basket full of problems in the future. So before you begin your hunt for your dream home, learn these four signs of what to look out for to ensure that your new home doesn’t have any underlying foundation problems.
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