Does Your New Home Need Foundation Repair?
Almost Home
For many of us, the process of searching for a new home is fraught with coming across available homes that are almost the perfect fit for our wants and needs. However, the dozens of homes we consider just seem to be lacking the one or two factors that sway us into purchasing, ultimately making the process of finding a new home an often maddening one. But, out of nowhere, we find the home of our dreams — or, at least the home within our budget. So the day comes where you get the grand tour of your potential new home and it’s perfect! All of the flooring is in great shape, the colors across the house fit your liking (so no need for costly painting), and the kitchen has all of the outlets in just the right places for all of your cooking gadgets. Sounds like it’s the perfect match.
…But then you see the basement. It’s unfinished, smells musty and flat out weird — and then the realtor tells you that there are foundation issues; the walls are cracked, and the moisture problem needs to be addressed. Now the choice is yours: do you sign and move in, or do you request a professional take a look at the property before moving in? While some realtors won’t allow this, it’s certainly in your best interest to have foundation repair experts take a look at your home before crossing the Ts and dotting the Is. With over 20 years of foundation repair experience, the professionals at Zablocki Waterproofing have the experience, talent, and know-how to properly inspect and repair your home’s foundation. Curious about other signs to be on the lookout for when considering a home or foundation repair? Read on to learn more.
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Before Buying
While we’re not here to tell you how to decide which home you should purchase, we would like to offer a word of advice: if you suspect or are certain that your potential home has structural issues that might or will certainly require foundation repair, then it’s best to have us come in and take a look before you sign on the dotted line. Again, while some realtors won’t allow this, it’s always a good idea to request a foundation inspection prior to purchasing. While you may end up footing the bill, that bill will certainly be smaller than the cost of serious foundation repair in the future. And, whether your potential home needs minor or major repair can be the deciding factor between buying or letting this particular home sit on the market.
While we implore you to give us a call to come take a look at your potential home before you sign, we understand that this isn’t an option that our all of our Milwaukee area neighbors have. So if you’re taking a tour of your maybe-home, here are a few things to be on the lookout for:
Basement Walls that are Bent or Bowing
Basements are notorious for attracting moisture. While this is a problem across most states, southeastern Wisconsin’s relatively humid climate is the perfect breeding ground for basement moisture; between heavy spring snowmelt, rain, and the humidity coming off the lake throughout the year, it’s difficult not to have a moist basement. However, moisture makes the soil around your homes heavy and applies pressure to basement walls. Once the soil dries out, pressure is relieved from the walls. If this is repeated often, the structural integrity of the walls become compromised.
Cracked Interior Walls
Most often seen when the house begins to settle, cracks are a sign of a potential (or already) big problem. Most modern homes are designed to withstand a great deal of compression and release before the problem becomes too great. However, these cracks are not to be ignored. If you see cracks in the basement’s interior walls, it’s a sign your home is settling.
Ajar or Poorly Closed Doors and Windows
If you’ve ever tried to close a door only to have to turn right around and push or pull it closed, then you’ve probably been in a house that needs foundation repair. If that door is a tight fit or your windows are extremely difficult (or there’s a lot of wriggle room around where they should be sealed) then that’s also a sign that foundation repair is needed.
Call the Foundation Repair Experts Today
Whether you’re considering a home or you’ve already purchased it only to learn that foundation repair is needed, or you suspect it is needed, don’t hesitate to reach out to the pros at Zablocki Waterproofing today for a free quote today. Ensuring your foundation is structurally sound is one of the most important investments you can make when considering home repair and safety. Choose Quality. Choose Zablocki.
