Monthly Archives: November 2021

19Nov
Why a Foundation Inspection is Important

Why a Foundation Inspection is Important

For people that are either buying or selling a home, scheduling a home inspection is one of the first steps taken during the purchasing process. A completed inspection ensures that there are no major defects within the home.  In addition, any issues that do appear are noted and repairs can be scheduled without major repair costs down the line. However, there is another inspection type that is just as important to schedule. Foundation inspections can help determine if the home is structurally sound. Here are the reasons getting a foundation inspection can be valuable to homeowners.

Differences Between a Home and Foundation Inspection

Before scheduling an inspection of a home’s foundation, it’s important to note what separates it from a typical home inspection. A normal home inspection is done by an inspector. These inspections mainly focus on elements such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and anything else that impacts the safety of a property. On the other hand, structural engineers handle foundation inspections. They specifically target the foundation and structural integrity of the home. A key thing to note is that these two are not usually interchangeable; some home inspectors don’t offer structural reviews and vice versa.

What a Foundation Inspection Covers

During a foundation inspection, a structural engineer will typically review both interior and exterior elements before putting together a report. For interior examinations, inspectors will first look at elevation levels of the house to ensure they are consistent. From there, an inspector looks at other elements.  These include isolated cracks to determine if they threaten foundation integrity. They also monitor load-bearing devices and support beams and see if there is prevalent mold or water damage.

From there, inspectors look at the exterior foundation. The main areas of focus for an engineer include checking drainage, irrigation, and landscaping systems. In addition, they look for any signs of damage to walls, concrete, or any other materials used during construction. Once an inspection is completed, the property owner receives a full report which lists any issues found. They also receive details of any costs and repair time associated with any known problems.

Problems to Look Out For

The best possible outcome for a foundation inspection is to have zero issues. This indicates that the home’s structure is sound. However, there are times when problems will occur, and recognizing potential trouble spots early can prevent higher repair costs as well as damage to your home. One of the most notable warning signs is when a house has sloping floors. This is due to the wooden joints in the home structure bending. While some sloping can occur naturally due to a home’s age, more expansive sloping is a problem to investigate.

Another thing to look out for is observing if the walls of a foundation look uneven. These walls can appear as bowing, bulging, or leaning. These can indicate structural problems, and if left unchecked for long periods of time, can cause substantial damage, and can even lead to collapsing walls.

Cracks in the foundation are another issue you need an inspector to look at. Typically, cracks form over time as the soil located underneath the home settles. It can be difficult to determine which kind of cracks are minor and which indicate a bigger problem. On average, those cracks that are ¼ inch are not a major issue in terms of impact on a home’s foundation. A crack that is wider than ¼ inch, however, could be an early sign of problems with the foundation.

Costs of Foundation Repair

Getting a foundation inspection has many benefits. The primary one is to avoid costly repairs as a result of significant foundation damage. While a normal inspection can average anywhere from $200 to $600, depending on location and other factors, the cost to repair a foundation that has suffered damage can greatly vary. For minor issues that only require patchwork, repairs can typically go for around $500. As the damage increases, so does the costs to fix it. Major structural damage will need to have steps taken to strengthen the foundation in addition to needed repairs. These collectively range from $4000 to $10000 when everything is factored in.

A foundation inspection may not seem like a necessity at first. However, scheduling a foundation inspection alongside a traditional home inspection can provide both buyers and sellers with peace of mind. Knowing that a home is built with structural integrity adds a level of comfort, as well as the knowledge that expensive repairs can be avoided.

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05Nov
Why You Should Get A Pool Inspection For Your Home

Why You Should Get A Pool Inspection For Your Home

A swimming pool can be a fantastic addition to any home. During the summer it can serve as a gathering place for friends and family. It can also be a personal cool-down spot in the middle of the hottest days. Many homeowners don’t think of their pool as something that needs an inspection. However, scheduling one can save you from major headaches down the line. Here are some of the primary reasons to schedule a pool inspection.

What Pool Inspectors Look For

An inspector looking at a swimming pool reviews all aspects from both the inside and the outside to check for potential problems. An inspection outside of the pool typically starts with a walk around it to look for any visible issues. From there, they check specific elements of the pool. For example, they review decks for broken drains or damaged grout. In addition, inspectors check the coping, which is the area around your pool. Doing this checks for any further grout issues such as chips or cracks. From there, exterior parts like pumps, filters, or pipes are all checked for wear and corrosion, which could cause leaks.

Examining the inside of the pool is just as important as the outside, and most pool inspectors will do thorough checks of the interior to ensure it is in peak condition. Inspectors will look at the plaster and tile to check for any leaks, as well as vinyl lining for tears and creases. They also look at external hardware with metal components such as railings or ladders for potential corrosion. Inspectors drain and clear areas such as drains and skimmers. For pools that have a lighting system installed, an inspector can review and verify that it can safely function. They check pools with electrical systems to verify necessary components are correctly installed. However, licensed electricians with pool equipment experience repair any frayed wires or any other issue.

Benefits of a Pool Inspection

Whether you are in the process of buying a home or if you’re a current owner, there are many good reasons to have a swimming pool checked by an inspector. One of the biggest benefits of this is overall safety. Homeowners avoid serious injury by having a pool that is inspected and with major issues resolved. For new home buyers, an inspection can indicate how much attention a pool needs, whether it has regular wear and tear or something more serious. In addition, homeowners have peace of mind knowing their pool is updated for safety and brought up to a regular code.

As for current homeowners, an inspection can serve as early prevention of potentially major issues. With a swimming pool, it will eventually need repairs at some point depending on how old it is. A regular inspection can catch issues sooner, which can keep the property owner from having to pay higher repair costs. It can also detect issues that are harder to see at first glances, such as slow leaks or a faulty deck.

What is the Best Frequency to Have a Pool Checked?

Depending on the age of your pool, how often you need to have your pool inspected can vary. Many experts suggest a yearly inspection of a swimming pool, which ensures that most of the hardware runs in top condition during the season. Some inspectors will offer annual reviews of specialized services as well. These include filtering and heating systems, or polls with automation and remote systems, which are repaired for insufficient water levels.

What Pool Inspections Do Not Cover

Swimming pool inspectors cover the majority of internal and external features of a pool. That said, there are some areas and conditions that they do not normally check during an inspection. For example, during bad weather, inspections do not occur due to the possibility of damage to equipment as a result of a storm. In addition, inspectors don’t test water in the pool. A pool specialist handles this or a homeowner does it manually. The sustainability for external accessories such as a diving board or a slide. Equipment that is already damaged or not working properly is also not tested.

The key to having a working swimming pool that is ready for use during the peak of summer is regular maintenance and review to make sure that all parts are working properly. By scheduling an inspection, new and existing homeowners can ensure that their pool is safe, secure, and ready for the season, all without major repair bills.

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