What Does a Foundation Inspection Entail?
/If you are purchasing a home in the Niagara area, you probably know that it is a smart idea to get a home inspection before you close on the deal. You might not know that it can also be an excellent idea to get a foundation inspection as well. In some cases, a home inspector will see signs of trouble and recommend that you get a foundation inspection as a follow-up.
What is the difference between a foundation inspection and a home inspection?
A home inspector will conduct a visual inspection of each room and provide you with a general overview of any visible problem areas. A foundation inspection is conducted by a structural engineer and is much more specialized.
The purpose of a foundation inspection is three-fold and should answer the following questions:
Is the foundation functioning as it should?
Does the foundation meet building code requirements?
Are repairs or modifications to the foundation required?
When conducting a foundation inspection, an engineer will perform both an interior and exterior examination and provide you with a foundation inspection report.
Interior Inspection
During the interior examination, the inspector will use internal contour lines to verify that the home's elevation levels are consistent. Additionally, the inspector will:
Determine the severity of internal cracks.
Inspect support beams and load-bearing walls.
Examine doors and windows to see how snugly they fit.
Inspect concrete walls and floors.
Look for signs of mould and water damage.
Exterior Inspection
The inspector will also examine the outside of the foundation and look for the following:
That water is draining properly and flowing away from the foundation.
Cracks and damage to exterior walls.
Crumbling concrete or other evidence that building materials are degraded.
Irregular slopes, exterior bulges, or buckling walls.
Foundation Inspection Report
Once the engineer has completed his inspection, he will provide you with a report that outlines his findings, including:
Any damage that was found and the extent of that damage.
Estimated cost to repair the damage.
Expected time to complete repairs on the damage.
What to do After You Receive the Report
If a foundation inspection report has uncovered damage and you are a potential home buyer in the Niagara Area, you will have to decide as to whether it is worth it for you to proceed with buying the home and conduct the repairs, or if it is in your best interests to walk away.
If the damage is uncovered, you may also be able to re-negotiate the price with the seller to offset the repairs' costs.
If you are the home seller in this scenario, you may decide to have repairs made before you sell the home, or you may choose to sell the home as-is with a reduced price and disclose the results of the inspection.
Do you Require a Foundation Inspection or Repair? Contact Foundation Fix Today!
If someone has recommended that you obtain a foundation inspection or already have a foundation inspection report and require repairs – Foundation Fix can help. Contact us today to arrange for an estimate.
