As of March this year, there were a total of 1,464,000 building permits issued in the United States. New residential constructions require government approvals to address the risk of building failures. However, every so often, homeowners grapple with instances of building failures.
Foundation problems are among the most prevalent causes of building failures. Searching through the property market listings, you’ll notice scores of houses on sale “as is” at relatively low prices. Most of these homes may have an underlying foundation problem.
Most homebuyers, in such cases, wonder, “is it safe to live in a house with foundation problems?” Well, many legal and safety-related dynamics emerge in such cases. Read on to learn more before buying a home with a foundation issue.
What Are Foundation Problems?
Homebuyers often focus on the curb appeal when considering a home. The reality is that you may not be as keen to assess other critical parts of the house, such as the foundation.
But even when home buyers notice specific problems in the foundation, there’s always the tendency to downplay the severity of particular foundation issues.
Problems with foundations may vary from one house to another. Nevertheless, the most common issues include cracks or fractures.
When buying an old home, you may also notice other foundation problems such as sinking and foundation upheavals. Houses that exhibit foundation issues often also have gaps around window frames due to uneven floors.
Buyer’s views are often divided on whether it’s okay to buy a house that shows the signs of foundation issues.
Is it safe to live in a house with foundation problems? Well, some people believe that it’s not as bad as it may sound.
Are you considering buying a home soon? A foundation problem may be among the immediate challenges you might grapple with before making a final decision on the purchase.
Is It Safe to Live in a House With Foundation Problems?
Buying an old home is often cheaper than settling for a new one, or even building from scratch. Most homebuyers will often overrule a home on sale due to foundation issues. However, in reality, buying a home with foundation issues can be a blessing in disguise.
The truth is that it can be a risky affair to move into a home with pre-existing structural concerns. Your home is your little haven, where your family comes to daily.
The bad news is that faults in the foundation can eventually deteriorate into a catastrophe. But the good news is that you can consult professionals and address the underlying foundation issues before moving into the house. You’ll be surprised that this may not cost much in the long haul.
Are you concerned about buying a home with foundation issues? Here’re the things you need to do to ensure your safety.
1. Consider Comprehensive Inspection
Before committing to buy a home with foundation issues, you need first to address the elephant in the room, “how bad is it?” Most of the homes built in the period before the 1970s will likely have sunken floors or some other signs of foundation issues. These issues may often be a result of the failure by the original owners to focus on repairs and maintenance over time.
Your first focus should be on the extent of the damage. Once you understand how bad the issue is, you can then decide on whether the decision is worth it. A home inspection by an expert can help you paint an accurate picture of the underlying situation.
Once the experts assess the foundation, they can present either of the following concerns.
Slab Leaks
A slab leak can have immense negative implications on a home foundation in the long haul. Such consequences may include a complete building failure. You may need a confirmation from a foundation expert on how bad the leaks are before committing to buy.
Sunken Floor
Most old homes have uneven flooring, which often leads to sunken homes. Such uneven flooring may also be the reason for the obvious cracks in the house. The inspection may reveal whether there’s any underlying future risk.
These are the two main signs that a homes’ foundation may be on its deathbed. The inspection should then guide the next stage.
2. Determine the Cost
Not all foundation problems are the same. As such, the cost may vary. Nevertheless, the silver lining is in the fact that you’ll still spend way less compared to what you would pay when buying a new home.
An average foundation repair will cost you between $4,200 and $12,000. However, you may spend between $2,000 and $ 6,000 more in case of extensive repairs.
These repair costs, however, vary depending on a few factors. You need to consider the following.
Size of the Foundation
The size of the home determines the size of the foundation. You will be charged more if the unit has a greater surface area.
Nature of the Foundation Problem
A sunken foundation may cost you more than repairing a slab leak. You may need to seek the assistance of a qualified expert to ascertain the actual nature of the issue.
Extent of Repair
Foundation problems repairs may either be high end or low end depending on your budget. This means that contingent on whether the foundation needs sealing or stabilization, the cost may vary.
3. Consider a Qualified Foundation Repairer
Now that you’ve realized you can still buy a house with foundation issues, you have one last thing to consider. You need to source for a home foundation repairer with the capacity to deal with any foundation problems and ensure your safety.
Have you been wondering if it is safe to live in a house with foundation problems? Visit www.rhinofoundationsystems.com and learn more about helical piers and the impact this option has on foundation leveling.
Owning a Home With Foundation Problems Is Not That Bad After All
Everybody hopes to settle into a safe and secure home. When paying for a revamped home, there may likely be inherent concerns such as cracks on the foundation. But is it safe to live in a house with foundation problems?
Well, this question is common when buying an old house. The number of Americans who have purchased homes with foundation issues yet proceeded to live in them for generations is overwhelming. All you need to do is to understand the extent of the problem and then source for a highly qualified expert to conduct the necessary repairs.
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