The most critical element in the construction of your home is the foundation. Despite being mostly hidden from sight, every other part of your house relies on it. A faulty foundation can cause a variety of issues with the house and even jeopardize its safety. If an inspector has informed you of a defective foundation or you have noticed indications of one, selling your home traditionally may be difficult. Nevertheless, there may be solutions, and you can learn more by continuing to read.
COMMON CAUSES OF FOUNDATION ISSUES
Foundations can develop problems due to various reasons. Some common causes of foundation issues include improper water drainage, installation of concrete or cement block walls on unstable or poorly compressed soil, incorrect concrete mixing, and improper pouring of concrete during cold weather.
Any of the following can cause foundation issues for your home:
- Soil composition
- Soil expansion and contraction
- Moisture content
- Hydrostatic pressure
- Poor construction planning or building practices
- Building components
- Improper drainage
If you suspect that nearby construction has led to foundation issues in your home, it’s possible that you could seek legal action for the resulting damage.
Water Is Often A Major Culprit
If you notice foundation issues in a house with a previously sturdy foundation, the main culprit is likely water problems. When gutters get clogged with leaves and other debris, they can overflow and eventually lead to water pooling around the foundation. This can undermine the soil strength and lead to foundation issues as well as leaks in the basement or crawlspace. Poor landscaping can also contribute to drainage problems. Excess water can damage the foundation of your house, possibly due to a pool installation or movement of dirt during the installation of underground pipes that was not done properly to direct water away from the house. The damage caused by excess water can be significant and costly.
INDICATES OF FOUNDATIONAL ISSUE
It is common for foundations to shift and settle a few inches, which usually does not cause any problems due to the weight and soil composition around it. This ordinary settling can result in minor gaps in the concrete of basements, garages, and foundation walls. If you are selling a property, it is recommended to make a note of any small cracks that you observe in these areas. If the cracks continue for a long time, it might be necessary to bring in an expert to analyze the situation. You must contact a structural engineer to examine your foundation if the settlement fractures widen over time or the basement/foundation walls start to lean or bow inward. Look out for signs of sagging in cement block foundations, such as stair-step cracking, broken blocks, and water seepage through the wall.
The Tricky Issues With Homeowner’s Insurance Coverage
It a good idea to review your policy if you suspect foundation issues. While it’s possible that insurance may cover the repairs, it’s important to note that most homeowner’s policies don’t. If the damage was caused by a natural disaster that’s covered by your policy, there may be a possibility for coverage. For instance, if your house was destroyed by a tornado and the foundation was affected, your insurance company may be able to help with the repairs. It is uncommon for insurance to cover repair costs for foundations that are settling or failing due to improper installation or unfavorable conditions. It is important to carefully review the insurance policy and pose any questions to the insurance agent in order to understand the coverage provided.
Get Advice From A Structural Engineer
To get an accurate foundation repair estimate, you need to consult with a certified structural engineer instead of a foundation contractor. Look for a structural engineer who specializes in foundation evaluation and repair planning. Working with a structural engineer could potentially save you money as their focus is on providing advice rather than selling services. While there are reputable foundation repair companies, some may suggest expensive solutions without identifying the actual cause of the problem. To ensure an accurate diagnosis and solution, it’s best to hire a structural engineer. They will thoroughly inspect your foundation, prepare a report of the issues, and recommend or design an appropriate fix. To avoid confusion and inconsistent estimates, consider providing multiple foundation repair companies with the engineer’s report and asking for quotes based on the proposed repair solution for your foundation.
Can I Skip The Repairs And Sell My Home With Foundation Defects?
If you need to sell your house even though it has foundation problems, it’s important to be honest about it and adjust your asking price accordingly. If foundation problems are discovered during a home inspection, the buyer may choose not to buy because they may wonder what other issues the house has that haven’t been disclosed. Foundation problems can greatly affect the structural stability of a house. Therefore, if potential buyers discover hidden foundation issues, they may choose to withdraw their interest. However, if the house is priced appropriately and all information is transparently disclosed, a buyer may still decide to purchase the property and address the foundation problems.
Do Not Hide The Foundation Problems When Selling Your Home
If you did not disclose foundation flaws to the buyers, you may face a lawsuit if they find out after the purchase. The court may not only order you to refund the buyer’s payment but also pay punitive damages for being negligent. Alternatively, the court may order you to pay for the foundation repairs along with punitive damages. To avoid such situations, it is recommended to inform potential buyers about any foundation problems.
To increase the chances of selling your house and selling it for a higher price, it’s best to fix any foundation problems you have if you’re able to. When you fix the issues, potential buyers will see that the repairs are backed by a lifetime warranty and will be more interested in your house. On the other hand, selling a house with foundation problems “as-is” can only attract buyers who are willing to take a big risk and buy it for a bargain.
Sell Your House With Foundation Problems As-Is For Cash
If you want to sell your Clarksville home quickly, despite foundation problems that you can’t handle due to time or financial constraints, there is an alternative that you may consider. Contact us at Integrity House Buyers. We specialize in assisting homeowners in situations like yours.
One of our professional team members will evaluate your home. We might make a cash offer without requiring repairs, insurance claims, inspections or extra fees. If you accept our offer, we can usually close the deal with the title company within a week.If you’re fed up with dealing with foundation issues in Clarksville and want to explore other possibilities, please contact us today at 717-639-2164 or fill out the form on our website. You can also get more information about how we operate and see our excellent reputation.