The definitive diy home foundation inspection checklist

Winter is the ideal season to perform a home foundation inspection. This is especially important if the house is located in an area where the soil shrinks in the hot summer weather. In addition, winter soil has not yet expanded due to spring rains.

While homeowners can call in a professional foundation repair contractor perform this task, many prefer a DIY home foundation inspection checklist. This requires paper, pencil and a laser level.

Sketch The Footprint

The first step is to create a drawing of the house, either on paper or with a computer program. The drawing should include all windows and doors.

Inspect The Windows And Doors

A wall becomes weaker at the locations where openings, such as windows and doors, are created. These weak points are often where foundation problems begin. The three most common signs of trouble in a foundation are listed below.

• Gaps. These spaces will form between the wall and window frames, door frames and the floor.
• Cracks. These extend out in the drywall from the corners of windows and doors.
• Separation. This is when a window or door itself separates from its framing or the finish on the exterior of the home.

In addition, homeowners can check for alignment issues by opening and closing all windows and doors to ensure they are working properly. Door latches and locks should also be examined. Anything of note should be added to the sketch.

Look At The Floor

Walking through a house will alert the homeowner to any sagging, bowing, bouncing or cracks in the floor. An uneven floor may indicate a gap or separation from the wall. The laser level is helpful to determine if there is a slope. The initial reading should be taken on the main floor of the house with the level pointed at the walls. The differences between the laser line and floor should be noted on each side of every room and written down on the sketch.

Check For Cracks In Ceilings And Walls

Drywall cracks inside of a home usually indicate foundation settlement. These cracks tend to be more visible in the upstairs rooms. The following types of cracks are signs of trouble.

• Corner cracks. These are seen extending out from windows and doors.
• Seam cracks. This type of crack will follow the seam in drywall.
• Tape cracks. These form when the tape is pulled, buckled or ripped.
• Nail popping. When the nails pop free from the drywall, this is the sign of a serious problem.

All cracks that are found should be noted in the house sketch along with a description regarding the width, direction and severity.

Check The Basement Walls And Interior Foundation

This step of the inspection requires looking at the walls in the basement and crawl space. Generally, walls constructed with concrete blocks will show horizontal or zigzag pattern cracks that form along the mortar lines. Both patterns indicate there is settlement. Basement walls made of poured concrete will show vertical cracks.

Look At The Exterior

In the final stage, the exterior of the home should be checked for sinking, shifting or other changes, especially around patio areas and chimneys. In many cases, a chimney will stand on its own foundation and is at a higher risk for settlement and separation from a house. Brick homes show cracking along the mortar lines with wider cracks indicating the walls are rotating in an outward direction.

Home Foundation Inspection Near You

If any of the above problems are found during the inspection, they will not go away on their own. They should be evaluated and repaired immediately by a professional foundation repair service. While a DIY home foundation inspection checklist is a good way to keep tabs on the condition of a home, it is only the first step to stabilization and avoiding a decline in value. If you live in the San Antonio, Dallas, or Fort Worth area and suspect you have foundation issues, be sure to contact GL Hunt today for a free estimate!

Visit our home foundation inspection reviews to see why customers choose foundation repair service when they need the best home foundation inspection.