Homebuyer Foundation Problems in Iowa

Are you buying a home in Iowa? If so, it is vital that you carefully inspect the home for any signs of damage to the foundation. Foundation problems are a scary issue and are not something that you want to deal with in your new home. It is important to know the signs of foundation failure before you purchase your new home.

Some common symptoms of a foundation problems and what they look like in a potential new Iowa home are:

• Drywall Cracks: Look for cracks in the walls and ceilings of each room in the home. Some hairline cracks are normal, but cracks around doors and windows are common signs of foundation failure. Freshly painted walls often disguise these cracks – homeowners often paint homes before they sell them just to hide issues such as these.
• Poor Drainage: Look for water damage in the home, especially in the basement. You may see stains or cracks in the concrete, or notice a musty smell in the basement. Also check that the yard around the home does not slope towards the foundation, as this can lead to several issues. Fresh carpeting is often installed to help hide stains before selling a home.
• Sloping or Uneven Floors: Any unevenness or sloping in the floors may be a sign that the foundation beneath is settling and causing movement in the floor joists. Be aware that new carpet can disguise sloping and unevenness in addition to water damage and may be a red flag.
• Door and Window Problems: Test the doors and windows to see if they open smoothly or if they stick. Doors and windows that stick open or shut can indicate foundation settlement. Also examine the doors and windows to make sure there are not gaps separating them from the walls, as this is another sign of settlement.
• Foundation Separation and Weakness: Severe settlement is often easy to see in the separation and crack formation between the concrete foundation and the home. Check for this when you look at the outside of the home and be sure to examine areas that may be cleverly disguised with landscaping. Also look for cracks and chipping and flaking – signs of weakening concrete.
• Brick or Siding Issues: Cracks in the bricks or masonry on a home are a common sign of foundation issues. Separation and cracking or warping siding can also indicate foundation or water problems.

Solutions for New Iowa Home Foundation Problems

If you do see signs of a foundation problem in your home, it is important to assess the severity. You can either attempt to do this yourself or contact a professional foundation repair contractor. While certain foundation problems can be repaired without much hassle, others end up turning into a huge expense. Keep this in mind as you look around any new homes that you are considering purchasing in Iowa.

There are a couple of different approaches that you can take if you see foundation problems in a home that you want to buy. If the foundation problems look like they are extremely severe, it may not even be worth it to buy it. However, if the problems look repairable, you can do one of two things. You can ask the homeowner to fix the issues before you will buy the home, which may work if the homeowner is anxious to get the home sold or if the home has been on the market a long time. You can also use any foundation failure symptoms as a way to negotiate down to a lower price and get them repaired yourself after buying the home.

Whichever you choose, keep in mind that WCI Basement Repair are the experts on foundation repair and basement waterproofing in the Carroll, IA area and can help you get the foundation problems in your new Iowa home repaired in no time. Contact us right away to learn more!