Constructing your foundation is the most critical part of building a home. Although it remains mostly obscured from view, everything else in the house relies on it. If not done properly, this can lead to numerous other problems and potentially jeopardize its inhabitants’ safety. If your home inspector has confirmed that you have a damaged foundation or if you are noticing the tell-tale signs of structural instability, selling in the conventional manner can be difficult. Nevertheless, there might still be hope; keep reading to discover what possibilities await!
COMMON CAUSES OF FOUNDATION ISSUES
Foundations can encounter difficulties for a range of reasons. Poor drainage, inadequate soil compaction when installing concrete or cement block walls, wrong concrete mixing ratios, and pouring in frigid temperatures are some of the most common causes of foundation issues.
The Experts at Southern Concrete Raising in Houston, TX note that any of the following can cause foundation issues for your home:
- Soil Movement
- Moisture from inadequate site drainage
- Leaky plumbing
- Poor construction or structural instability
- Leaks in roof
- Electrical Problems
- Insulation Damage
- Loose or broken gas and water lines
- underground plumbing damage
If you believe that your foundation problems have been caused by construction close to your home, there may be legal recourse for the damage.
Water Is Often A Major Culprit
If your once stable home is now showing signs of foundation damage, then make sure to assess the issue as soon as possible, water troubles might be by far the biggest problem. If gutters haven’t been regularly cleared of leaves and other debris, a surplus of water can drain around the foundation over time. This drainage could weaken soil strength, causing costly issues with your home’s foundations and basement or crawlspace leaks. In addition, improper landscaping may also lead to drainage-related complications. It’s possible that a pool was installed, or maybe new underground pipes were laid and the dirt wasn’t repositioned in such a way as to divert water away from the house. Whatever the reason, excess water can quickly damage a foundation and cause thousands of dollars of damage.
INDICATES OF FOUNDATIONAL ISSUE
It is common for foundations to shift ever so slightly; a few inches of settling being standard. Fortunately, this type of settlement rarely raises concern as it simply comes from the weight and composition of local soil or dirt in the area. Small openings may appear on garage floors, basement walls and foundation surfaces due to such normal settling activity. While inspecting a property, be sure to keep an eye out for any minor cracks that may appear. However, if the damages seem insignificant and remain static over time, you may not need professional assistance right away. If the fractures begin to widen or if the basement walls lean inward at any point though; it’s essential to consult with a structural engineer as soon as possible in order to identify potential foundation problems. Be sure to look for signs of sagging in cement block foundations, including stair step cracking, broken blocks and water leakage through the wall. By remaining vigilant about identifying these indicators of deterioration, you can prevent costly damages down the line.
The Tricky Issues With Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage
When you’re dealing with foundation problems, it’s always good to check your policy. Make a call to your insurance agent and find out if the repairs are covered by your homeowner’s insurance plan. The coverage for foundations damage varies depending on the cause of damage but may be feasible when caused by a natural disaster that is included in your policy. So don’t forget, do not hesitate to make that important phone call! In the event that a tornado destroys your home and damages its foundation, you may be able to receive compensation from your insurance company. Unfortunately, this is not usually possible in cases where the foundation has deteriorated due to settling or faulty installation and poor conditions surrounding it. Before you buy any insurance policy, always read the terms and conditions carefully in order to determine exactly what is covered. Make sure to ask your agent for clarification on anything that isn’t clear so that you can be certain of the coverage you are getting.
Get Advice From A Structural Engineer
If you’re looking to get an accurate estimate for foundation repair, then it’s imperative that you speak with a certified structural engineer. It is essential to hire someone who specializes in this field and whose sole responsibility is evaluating your building’s structure and giving suitable advice on how to fix any problems. Investing in the expertise of a structural engineer can potentially save you money by providing honest advice instead of expensive foundation repair services. Not all foundation companies have ulterior motives, but they may still suggest costly repairs that could be unnecessary without first accurately diagnosing the issue with your foundations. To ensure you get the best advice and estimate for your foundation issues, a structural engineer will inspect it, provide you with an analysis of any problems they find, and suggest solutions. With this report in hand from the engineer’s work, now you can confidently contact multiple foundation repair companies to request price quotes on the proposed repairs instead of having different ideas about what is needed.
Can I Skip The Repairs And Sell My Home With Foundation Defects?
If you are forced to sell your home with existing foundation problems, make sure to be honest and adjust the asking price accordingly. If potential buyers discover that there are issues with the house’s foundations during a home inspection, they will likely become hesitant in completing their purchase as they may wonder what other secrets lie within the walls of your property or if something has been intentionally omitted from disclosure. If a house is priced at its fair market value, and all information about the foundation issues are disclosed upfront, there’s still potential for someone to purchase it. Despite any underlying problems with the home’s structure and foundation, when buyers have access to this data from the start they often choose not to back out of their offer. With full knowledge of what needs attention in terms of repairs, savvy shoppers can take advantage of these opportunities for major savings!
Do Not Hide The Foundation Problems When Selling Your Home
If you’re aware of any foundation flaws prior to a sale but neglect to disclose them, not only could buyers seek legal action against you for the return of their money, they may also be awarded punitive damages for your lack of disclosure. The court may even order that these additional monies be paid out as compensation for your negligence. In lieu of that, a judge may require you to pay not only the buyer’s foundation repair costs but punitive damages as well. To avoid this scenario and give buyers peace-of-mind, it’s best to inform them about any potential issues or concerns with your property’s foundation upfront.
If you have the means, it is always best to fix foundation issues yourself. Buyers are more likely to make an offer on your house when they know that any foundation problems were resolved with a lifetime guarantee behind them. Not only will fixing these issues raise its value in their eyes, but also give you the opportunity to set a higher asking price since homes being sold as-is often find buyers who recognize foundation repairs can be done for reasonable costs.
Sell Your House With Foundation Problems As-Is For Cash
If you are looking for a way to rapidly sell your Houston home with foundation issues while avoiding the time and expense of repairs, Sound Homebuyers can help. We specialize in providing homeowners like you with creative solutions tailored to meet their needs. Let us put our expertise to work for you and get the best price possible on your property!
Our team of experts will take a close look at your home and we can, in many cases, offer you cash with no repairs needed – plus no insurance claims, inspections or hidden fees. If our proposal is accepted by you, typical closing times span just one week or less!You can learn more about our methods of operation and check out our outstanding reputation. If you are tired of dealing with foundation problems in Houston and want another option, give us a call today at 832-966-3533.