Hey there guys!!! As you probably know, Todd and I have been on the hunt for a house to flip for a long (long long long) time now.
Recently we’ve been encountering house after house that has severe foundation issues, and still being fairly new to flipping houses we steer clear of any house that has foundation issues.
So how do you tell if a house has foundation issues in the first place? Wouldn’t it be nice to know what to look for when you’re house hunting so you don’t fall in love with a home only to find out at your (expensive) inspection that there are foundation issues?
How to tell if a house has foundation issues
Large cracks in the walls, floors or ceilings is always a good way to tell if a house has foundation issues. Minor cracks in drywall and plaster are normal and occur over time but anything larger than a hairline crack should be investigated.
Windows and doors that stick, won’t stay open or won’t open at all is a telltale sign of movement in the home.
Look for gaps around windows and exterior doors.
If the home is brick, look for “stair step” type cracks (cracks that resemble stairs). This could be normal settling but is something you definitely want to look into further if found.
On homes that have fireplaces with chimneys, check to ensure the chimney isn’t pulling away from the house.
The exterior of a house can also be a dead giveaway for foundation issues. Look for large gaps/cracks and settling in concrete slabs, porches and decks.
Don’t forget to check exterior walls for cracks even if the inside doesn’t show signs of cracking, it’s easier to hide foundation problems on the interior of a house than the exterior.
Uneven kitchen cabinets can also be a sign to tell if a house has foundation issues (or a sign of a bad contractor) as are cabinets and counters that pull away from the wall.
Floors in a house can show signs of foundation issues if they are uneven, sloping or sinking. You can usually feel this when you walk into a home and more often than not, it can usually be noticed by an untrained eye. (Or bring a marble to every house and place it on the floors that you suspect might have foundation problems.)
Gaps between the baseboard or quarter round and the flooring is another way to tell if a house has foundation issues. Baseboard is supposed to meet the flooring very closely so if there’s a gap it most likely shouldn’t be there and might be a sign of foundation problems.
Tile should almost never crack (unless your my dad and just so happen to drop a pickle jar at the perfect angle to cause a crack) so numerous cracks in a kitchen or bathroom tile floor might indicate that a house has foundation problems.
You should also look for signs of termites because those little critters can eat away at the wood components in a home which can lead to major issues.
The basement is a great place to look for gaps and cracks as it’s usually exposed and not covered with drywall or paneling. It’s especially easy to notice gaps and cracks in block foundation.
Those are all the ways I can think of when it comes to how to tell if a house house has foundation issues. If you think of any others, leave them below in the comments! In the meantime, check out some of these popular posts:
3 Major Things to Watch for When House Hunting
5 Sneaky Ways to Find a Good Deal on a House
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