Buying a home is an important decision. It’s not only about the square footage or the location – although most realtors may disagree. When making a commitment to purchase a home, you want to make sure the investment will last a lifetime. Problems with a home’s foundation or waterproofing can lead to costly repairs if not corrected. Let’s take a look at two important considerations and how you can identify them.

Common Hidden Problems

In order to truly determine a home’s value, a thorough inspection of a home’s foundation needs to be completed. Because its foundation is the source of a home’s integrity, buyers need to be sure it is completely solid. Furthermore, homes without proper waterproofing set the stage for foundation cracks to occur.

Foundation Issues

Particularly when searching for an older home, foundation issues become an important consideration. Let’s take a look at some common foundation problems.

• Types of Issues
  Foundation problems can include cracks, sinking foundations, or bowing walls. They are often a result of excess moisture in the soil, which puts hydrostatic pressure on a home’s exterior. Cracks are a common symptom of a weakening foundation. Bowing walls indicate that a home is greatly affected by hydrostatic pressure and may be in need of serious repairs. A sinking foundation results from surrounding soil being unable to support the weight of the foundation.
• Warning Signs
  When searching for warning signs of foundation damage, the most apparent symptom is usually a crack in the wall. Stair-step cracks, deep cracks, and horizontal cracks that span the length of a wall usually mean a foundation repair is needed. Furthermore, doors or windows that seem to stick and will not open properly are a sign that a home needs a foundation repair. When a home appears to lean to one side, its foundation may be sinking.

Waterproofing Issues

Waterproofing is a process that protects a home’s foundation from water damage and gradual deterioration.

• Types of Issues
  When a home is not waterproofed, seasons with heavy rain or melting snow can trap moisture in the soil. As a result of this moisture, water is able to seep into a foundation and eventually into a home. This influx of water is capable of causing thousands of dollars in property damage and poses a health risk, as mold and mildew can form rapidly.
• Warning Signs
  As a prospective home buyer, you’ve not yet had the chance to own a home and experience the effects of rain or snow on your investment. Warning signs to look for include water spots on floors, walls, or ceilings, particularly in the basement or crawlspace. The appearance of cracks in walls or near openings, like windows and doors, may also indicate that a home’s foundation has been compromised.

Solution

Before signing on the dotted line, the best thing you can do to protect your investment and accurately evaluate a home’s worth is to contact a professional. At Intech Anchoring, we specialize in foundation repair and waterproofing services, and we provide home buyers with free estimates. If you’re considering purchasing a home and want to evaluate the need for foundation repair or waterproofing, contact Intech Anchoring at 800-223-7015 today.