Residential Foundation Inspection in Atlanta GA
Purchasing a property is one of the most significant investments you will make in your lifetime. Therefore, you need to ensure that the property is structurally sound and free from potential issues that may lead to costly repairs or even compromise the safety of the occupants.
One aspect to consider during the home-buying process is the property's foundation. With Paris Pressley Real Estate Inspector, you can rest assured that your foundation inspection is thorough and accurate, helping you make an informed decision when purchasing a property.
What Is a Foundation Inspection?
A property foundation inspection involves a detailed examination of the structure's base to identify any signs of damage, such as cracks, settling, or moisture. These issues may be indicators of more severe underlying problems, which, if left unaddressed, could result in significant repair costs and even pose a threat to the building's integrity.
Floor Settling and Floor Sagging
When a floor system is sagging, settling or is weak, many times owners or contractors will use jacks, props or posts to hold the floors up. In most cases, this is not a solution for the real problem which can be defective floor joist, damaged floor joists or floor joists undersized for their span.
Floor joists can sag if the crawlspace is damp over time or there is no moisture barrier over the damp or wet soil in a crawlspace, which keeps moisture levels high in the wood. Termite infestation can damage wood framing also causing the framing to become weak. And in some cases, the floor joists can be too small for the length or span. Any or either of these conditions can cause a floor system to become weakened or sag.
Stacked bricks without a foundation can sink into the ground over time causing the floor or beam to sag or dip again. There should be concrete or blocks placed in or on the soil as a footing to create a base. Stacked bricks for a foundation can shift also.
If you suspect the foundation supporting your floor has issues, Paris can do a thorough inspection, determine the causes and make recommendations on what is needed to create a permanent solution to support your floors.
Foundations and Footings
Foundations and footings are usually placed on stable soil in most cases. However, in rare cases a foundation or parts of a foundation can be placed on poor soil material, soil with tree roots, top soil or improperly compacted soil. When foundations are placed on any of these soils, there can differential settling in the foundation and cracks over time, especially when water is introduced. If excessive water is poured into the soil over time, this can cause accelerate settling in a foundation and wet crawlspaces and basements. Floors will slope, dip or even have a hump. Paris can inspect your foundation or basement floor for settling, cracks or defects and make recommendations for repairs or corrections.
Cracks in Foundations and Walls
If you see any moderate or major cracks in your foundation, brick veneer, stucco, basement floor or walls, there probably is foundation settling. In some cases, these conditions may be minor or a major issue. Getting the conditions inspected by a good foundation inspector like Paris Pressley may be the best decision and save a lot of money in the long run. Finding the problem and knowing what is causing a foundation to settle or causing settling cracks will tell us what to correct, fix or repair.
Excessive foundation settling can cause brick veneers to become loose or even detach from the structure. If you notice even a small crack in a brick veneer, it may be a good idea to have it inspected. Expensive homes with expensive masonry are expensive to repair. So you don't want to let conditions go unchecked or get worse.
Missing Foundations and Soil Erosion
In some cases, there can be an improper foundation or foundation missing under floor slabs and foundation walls. Foundations not only support the structure built on them, they also are designed to keep soils in place under them in ideal conditions. If a foundation is missing a footing, it will be unstable. If a floor slab is missing a footing, it will settle, have settling cracks and have broken sections.
Foundations are a key component of buildings. It is important to have a solid base. In areas with clay soil, sandy soil or a mixture of both, it is critical to have the proper footing and foundation for the conditions. These soils will not stay in place if not retained and will erode if too much water is introduced. So, if you think you have any of the conditions above, give Paris Pressley a call and let him check it out.
Some common signs of foundation issues include the following:
- Bowing or leaning walls
- Doors and windows that stick or have gaps around their frames
- Uneven or sloping floors
- Visible cracks in the foundation walls or floors
- Water intrusion in the basement or crawl space
At Paris Pressley Real Estate Inspector, our team of experienced professionals is skilled in identifying these and other signs of foundation issues. In addition to identifying existing foundation issues, our inspectors also provide valuable recommendations for preventative measures that can help maintain the integrity of the structure.