When hiring a home inspector there are various components to the house they will be looking at to determine the condition of the home. In this article we will be focusing on the foundation and what the inspector will be looking for.
The first thing the inspector will have to do is determine the type of foundation the home has. There are three types of foundations: the basement, crawl space, and concrete slab.
The basement is sometimes tricky to inspect and is dependent on if the basement is finished or not. The inspector will evaluate the condition of the floor and if there are any visible signs of moisture like staining of the concrete, cupping of the wood, or staining of the carpet.
While in the basement, the inspector will also look at the walls and trim for signs of moisture intrusion from the basement walls. The inspector will also examine any exposed framing, electrical switches, outlets, or panels, plumbing pipes, and any mechanical devices such as water heaters and HVAC systems. The inspector will also report on the existence and condition of a sump pump.
If there is at least 18 inches of headroom, the inspector will evaluate the crawl space. If for some reason, such as height restrictions, the inspector can not access all or part of the crawl space it will be noted in the inspection report.
When inspecting the under the home the inspector will be looking at the piers and the foundation walls for stability and any cracking. The inspector will look to see if there is any insect damage to the exposed wood framing. Also, the inspector will look to see if the dryer vents to the exterior, if there are enough wall vents, if the ground is wet from condensation or a plumbing leak, the condition of the HVAC ductwork, and if there is insulation present between the floor joists.
When inspecting a concrete slab, the inspector will be limited in what he can look at, especially if the flooring has already been installed. On the exterior the inspector will be looking for cracks in the slab and if the land is graded away from the home correctly.
Closing Comments
Many times the foundation installed is dependent on the grade of the land and soil type. It is not uncommon for a home to have two foundation types on a sloped lot. If the slope is steep enough the home may have all three foundations installed on a home.
The first thing the inspector will have to do is determine the type of foundation the home has. There are three types of foundations: the basement, crawl space, and concrete slab.
The basement is sometimes tricky to inspect and is dependent on if the basement is finished or not. The inspector will evaluate the condition of the floor and if there are any visible signs of moisture like staining of the concrete, cupping of the wood, or staining of the carpet.
While in the basement, the inspector will also look at the walls and trim for signs of moisture intrusion from the basement walls. The inspector will also examine any exposed framing, electrical switches, outlets, or panels, plumbing pipes, and any mechanical devices such as water heaters and HVAC systems. The inspector will also report on the existence and condition of a sump pump.
If there is at least 18 inches of headroom, the inspector will evaluate the crawl space. If for some reason, such as height restrictions, the inspector can not access all or part of the crawl space it will be noted in the inspection report.
When inspecting the under the home the inspector will be looking at the piers and the foundation walls for stability and any cracking. The inspector will look to see if there is any insect damage to the exposed wood framing. Also, the inspector will look to see if the dryer vents to the exterior, if there are enough wall vents, if the ground is wet from condensation or a plumbing leak, the condition of the HVAC ductwork, and if there is insulation present between the floor joists.
When inspecting a concrete slab, the inspector will be limited in what he can look at, especially if the flooring has already been installed. On the exterior the inspector will be looking for cracks in the slab and if the land is graded away from the home correctly.
Closing Comments
Many times the foundation installed is dependent on the grade of the land and soil type. It is not uncommon for a home to have two foundation types on a sloped lot. If the slope is steep enough the home may have all three foundations installed on a home.
About the Author:
Hubert Miles is the founder of Waterfront Houses USA, an online marketing service that provides Lake Real Estate in the US and Canada. Find West Virginia Lake Real Estate.
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