House Hunting Foundation Myths & Tips

Foundation repair has its benefits, there is no denying that. It can give your home a new life and quite literally new legs to stand on. From the standpoint of a person who is in the market for buying a house, old or new, it can be a scary thought to think that the home you are interested in could have foundation issues that go unreported and unresolved. This would mean that you are now held liable for getting those issues to be fixed. That is why it is important to know the difference between myth and fact when talking about foundation repair as a homeowner:

Myth #1: Foundation issues only happen in old homes

Fact: Foundation issues can happen in any home no matter the age. 

There is a common misconception that only the old, rundown houses can experience issues with their foundation. New homeowners do not think that it could happen to them, but it can. There are many factors that can affect your home’s foundation, but soil is the biggest. Poor underlying soil conditions means that the soil that your foundation is sitting on is loose and can not support the weight that is on top of it. No matter if your home is freshly built or historic, bad soil will cause your home to settle severely which results in your foundation cracking and sinking. Soil can also put immense amounts of pressure on your home and if the structure was not built to withstand more outside pressure than the soil is producing it can result in bowing and sheering walls, large horizontal or vertical cracks, water/moisture issues and more. 

The important thing to remember here is, foundation issues can happen to any structure no matter the age so do not be surprised if the new home you just bought has issues that arise in a short period of time.

Myth #2: Repairing the visible crack will fix my foundation issues. 

Fact: Fixing the crack will only address the aesthetic issue, not the foundation issue. 

If you have seen a small crack starting to form on your newly acquired home you might have said “just slap some plaster on it and paint over it, it’ll be as good as new”, but that does not address the underlying issue. Foundation issues start to present themselves through the formation of cracks, typically on the exterior of the home or above doors and windows in the interior. If you see cracks starting to form, calling a trusted foundation company is the best route to take. They can come assess the situation and inform you if that crack you are seeing is just a crack or an issue with your foundation. If you choose to cover up the crack, you could be risking the health and structural integrity of your home, it is always best to be safe rather than sorry. 

Myth #3: Putting off a repair is not the worst thing in the world. 

Fact: Foundation issues only get worse over time. 

In the realm of foundation issues, procrastination is not your friend. When a foundation issue presents itself the best course of action is to get it inspected by a structural engineer or a foundation repair contractor. The longer you put off repairing your foundation the worse it can become. For example: Natural settlement occurs over time with anyone’s home and more times than not, there is nothing to worry about. Keep monitoring it as it progresses and get it repaired if need be. The problem comes in when settlement is ignored, and it goes beyond the point of natural progression. In this case, there could be serious damage to the structural integrity of the foundation and that means a more time-consuming repair and more money out of your pocket. 

Myth #4: Foundation issues are always expensive.

Fact: Cost depends solely on the extent of the repair.

Your concern for cost is an understandable one, but your idea of how much it will be is most likely influenced by some foundation nightmare stories you have heard from your neighbors or your community. The good news is this is probably not the case for you. The cost of repair is completely dependent on the extent of the damage to your foundation. If you see a few hairline cracks starting to form and you get that repaired chances are the cost will be well within your budget. If you see a large shift in the foundation coupled with several large cracks that could land you at the other end requiring thousands of dollars of repair. The average cost of foundation repair is $4,500. 

The important thing here is to act when you encounter a problem like this so that a trusted foundation repair company can quickly address the issue with minimal cost to you. 

Myth #5: Choosing the first foundation repair company I come across will do the trick.

Fact: Do your research and take your time choosing the best company you can find.

When choosing a foundation repair company to address your foundation issues, the worst thing you can do is to rush into it. Your home is your biggest asset but not doing your research first could make it your biggest regret. There is a plethora of companies to choose from and many are good at what they do. When it comes to foundation issues, you need better than good, you want excellent service that exceeds your expectations. This is your biggest investment we are talking about after all. Take your time and make the decision that feels right to you.  

Carolina Foundation Solutions has been in business for nearly decades and services both North and South Carolina. With over 100 combined years of experience, choosing Carolina Foundation Solutions for your foundation repair will be beneficial. Many of our services are backed by a life of structure warranty and we have financing options available that allow you to get prompt permanent solutions to your foundation problems, while you pay overtime.

If you are in need of foundation repairs call us at (877) 770-7050 to schedule a FREE inspection today!