When you hire a home inspector to inspect a home you are buying one of the things he will be inspecting is the homes foundation. Here is an overview of what the inspector will be looking for.
The first thing the inspector will have to do is determine the type of foundation the home has. There are three types of foundations: the basement, crawl space, and concrete slab.
The basement is sometimes tricky to inspect and is dependent on if the basement is finished or not. The inspector will evaluate the condition of the floor and if there are any visible signs of moisture like staining of the concrete, cupping of the wood, or staining of the carpet.
Some of the other items that inspector will look at in the basement is the condition of any wood framing that is not covered by drywall. The inspector will also check out the electrical and plumbing components such as electrical panels, water heaters, sump pumps (if present), and the HVAC equipment
Crawl spaces should be fully inspected if the head space is at least 18 inches high and free of debris, rodents, spiders, and reptiles. If the inspector can not inspect the crawl space for one of these reasons, it must be documented in the inspectors report.
The home inspector will be looking at several things while under the house. The main thing the inspector is trying to determine is if there is moisture present and is there any damage to the support system and floor structure. Some of the items the inspector will look at include: the piers, floor joists, outside sill plate, foundation wall, and any other items present like the plumbing, ductwork, and insulation.
If the home has a concrete slab the inspector will be limited in what can be inspected if the flooring has been installed. But there are still some signs that problems may exist. Much like the basement is staining visible on the concrete or carpeting or is the hardwood cupping or curling at the seams. On the outside, the inspector will look to see if the slab is cracked and is the ground graded away from the foundation.
Final Thoughts
Homes are built based on the grade of the land. It is not uncommon for homes to have two and sometimes all 3 foundation types as part of the construction. When you hire your inspector, give them as much information as possible about the foundation.
The first thing the inspector will have to do is determine the type of foundation the home has. There are three types of foundations: the basement, crawl space, and concrete slab.
The basement is sometimes tricky to inspect and is dependent on if the basement is finished or not. The inspector will evaluate the condition of the floor and if there are any visible signs of moisture like staining of the concrete, cupping of the wood, or staining of the carpet.
Some of the other items that inspector will look at in the basement is the condition of any wood framing that is not covered by drywall. The inspector will also check out the electrical and plumbing components such as electrical panels, water heaters, sump pumps (if present), and the HVAC equipment
Crawl spaces should be fully inspected if the head space is at least 18 inches high and free of debris, rodents, spiders, and reptiles. If the inspector can not inspect the crawl space for one of these reasons, it must be documented in the inspectors report.
The home inspector will be looking at several things while under the house. The main thing the inspector is trying to determine is if there is moisture present and is there any damage to the support system and floor structure. Some of the items the inspector will look at include: the piers, floor joists, outside sill plate, foundation wall, and any other items present like the plumbing, ductwork, and insulation.
If the home has a concrete slab the inspector will be limited in what can be inspected if the flooring has been installed. But there are still some signs that problems may exist. Much like the basement is staining visible on the concrete or carpeting or is the hardwood cupping or curling at the seams. On the outside, the inspector will look to see if the slab is cracked and is the ground graded away from the foundation.
Final Thoughts
Homes are built based on the grade of the land. It is not uncommon for homes to have two and sometimes all 3 foundation types as part of the construction. When you hire your inspector, give them as much information as possible about the foundation.
About the Author:
Hubert Miles is the founder of Waterfront Houses USA, an online marketing service that provides Lake Real Estate in the US and Canada. Find Kansas Lake Real Estate.
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