A foundation inspection is a detailed process carried out by a professional to assess the condition of your home’s foundation and identify any signs of damage or movement. 🕵️♂️🏡 It’s an important step before planning repairs or buying/selling a home.
🔍 Here’s how a foundation is typically inspected:
- Visual Inspection
The inspector checks for cracks in walls, uneven floors, sticky doors/windows, and signs of moisture or mold. They’ll examine both the interior and exterior of the home. - Foundation Perimeter Check
They walk around the outside of the home, looking for gaps, leaning walls, soil erosion, or cracks in the foundation slab or brickwork. - Floor Level Measurements
Using special tools like a zip level or laser level, inspectors measure floor elevation throughout the home to detect uneven settling. - Crawl Space or Basement Review (if applicable)
If your home has a crawl space or basement, they check for moisture, wood rot, pier movement, or shifting support beams. - Soil and Drainage Evaluation
They examine the surrounding soil and drainage patterns to determine if poor grading or water pooling is causing foundation issues. - Report and Recommendations
After the inspection, you’ll receive a detailed report explaining the findings and, if needed, foundation repair recommendations.
A professional foundation inspection helps catch problems early, saving you from costly repairs later. 🛠️✅