Comments on: How to Take Care of Your Foundation http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/living-in-your-home/green-home-conversion/ihow-care-foundationi/ A Houston home inspector looks at homes and his community Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:54:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: frankschulteladbeckhttp://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/living-in-your-home/green-home-conversion/ihow-care-foundationi/#comment-1473 frankschulteladbeck Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:49:59 +0000 http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/?p=788#comment-1473 Lets set some facts down first: all homes move, so some cracks could be from the foundation, but some could be because of movement. It sounds as if you did have a foundation problem, but some cracks might be due to the movement in the house. Second, a french drain is a drain placed at the base (the base way below ground) of the foundation, and one should have been originally installed. I am making the assumption that the suggested french drain is a drain along the home at ground level. If you are having a problem with water causing the foundation to rise when wet, drains do help, but they will not settle all issues. Here are some items to consider: 1) is water leaking from pipes under the home- a pressure test will determine if there is a leak. Leaks will continue to effect the foundation. 2) The roots of large trees will effect the foundation, so a tree should be the same distance form the home as its height. 3) Taking care of your soil and its composition can effect the home, If you have clay soils around your home, this will rise when wet, and drop when wet. Taking care of your soil will help the home. 4) Movement does not depend on the condition of the foundation. Movement is caused by conditions in the framing and the weight of the home. Movement will cause cracks too.Once you have cracks, they will come back, but after repairing them it can take some time- again depending on other conditions. I have noticed that a repair can last for five to ten years, also depending upon how the repair is done.If you wish to ask me further questions, you can send me an email (frank @ yourhoustonhomeinspector.com), or place it here in the comments. The drain will help, if water is the issue. You can also call me. Leave a message if I do not answer, I will call back soon. Lets set some facts down first: all homes move, so some cracks could be from the foundation, but some could be because of movement. It sounds as if you did have a foundation problem, but some cracks might be due to the movement in the house. Second, a french drain is a drain placed at the base (the base way below ground) of the foundation, and one should have been originally installed. I am making the assumption that the suggested french drain is a drain along the home at ground level. If you are having a problem with water causing the foundation to rise when wet, drains do help, but they will not settle all issues. Here are some items to consider:
1) is water leaking from pipes under the home- a pressure test will determine if there is a leak. Leaks will continue to effect the foundation.
2) The roots of large trees will effect the foundation, so a tree should be the same distance form the home as its height.
3) Taking care of your soil and its composition can effect the home, If you have clay soils around your home, this will rise when wet, and drop when wet. Taking care of your soil will help the home.
4) Movement does not depend on the condition of the foundation. Movement is caused by conditions in the framing and the weight of the home. Movement will cause cracks too.

Once you have cracks, they will come back, but after repairing them it can take some time- again depending on other conditions. I have noticed that a repair can last for five to ten years, also depending upon how the repair is done.

If you wish to ask me further questions, you can send me an email (frank @ yourhoustonhomeinspector.com), or place it here in the comments. The drain will help, if water is the issue. You can also call me. Leave a message if I do not answer, I will call back soon.

]]> By: Michellehttp://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/living-in-your-home/green-home-conversion/ihow-care-foundationi/#comment-1472 Michelle Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:26:08 +0000 http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/?p=788#comment-1472 We bought a house in 2007. Not too long after we bought the house we noticed cracks 3 in the living room.It was very obvious the wall had a different texture around the cracks. Looking like the previous owners tried covering it up.Soon after it was harder to shut our living room door. So we replaced the door. We noticed the door that was in there before had been shaved down so it would shut for the previous owners. In early 2009 we replaced the carpet only to find a huge crack in the foundation. So I just had a person come from a powerlift company to give us an estimate. He suggested a french drain. I know this will not fix the cracks but he said it would cut off the main source which is the water behind our house. I was wondering how effective is this? How long would it last? Would this keep my house from falling apart? We bought a house in 2007. Not too long after we bought the house we noticed cracks 3 in the living room.It was very obvious the wall had a different texture around the cracks. Looking like the previous owners tried covering it up.Soon after it was harder to shut our living room door. So we replaced the door. We noticed the door that was in there before had been shaved down so it would shut for the previous owners. In early 2009 we replaced the carpet only to find a huge crack in the foundation. So I just had a person come from a powerlift company to give us an estimate. He suggested a french drain. I know this will not fix the cracks but he said it would cut off the main source which is the water behind our house. I was wondering how effective is this? How long would it last? Would this keep my house from falling apart?

]]> By: frankschulteladbeckhttp://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/living-in-your-home/green-home-conversion/ihow-care-foundationi/#comment-1360 frankschulteladbeck Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:00:59 +0000 http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/?p=788#comment-1360 Hello Doris, thank you for dropping in. What you describe is not necessarily an indicator of a foundation problem. I would say that it indicates movement. Truly, many factors have to be looked at together to determine issues with a foundation though. Some foundation firms will do a free inspection for you, so it may not be a bad idea to call a few firms to see if they will do one at no charge. Then you can have peace of mind.As for repairs, some sellers have hired me to inspect their homes before it goes on market, so they will know what to expect, and so they can make repairs. I would only suggest hiring an inspector if you have real concerns. If you go to my ebooks page, you can find a free ebook geared towards real estate investors (or you can go through the real estate investor posts under the categories section in the sidebar). These posts go over looking at a home, and it might give you an idea on which repairs you can tackle, or that you may need. Good Luck with the sale! Hello Doris,
thank you for dropping in. What you describe is not necessarily an indicator of a foundation problem. I would say that it indicates movement. Truly, many factors have to be looked at together to determine issues with a foundation though. Some foundation firms will do a free inspection for you, so it may not be a bad idea to call a few firms to see if they will do one at no charge. Then you can have peace of mind.

As for repairs, some sellers have hired me to inspect their homes before it goes on market, so they will know what to expect, and so they can make repairs. I would only suggest hiring an inspector if you have real concerns. If you go to my ebooks page, you can find a free ebook geared towards real estate investors (or you can go through the real estate investor posts under the categories section in the sidebar). These posts go over looking at a home, and it might give you an idea on which repairs you can tackle, or that you may need. Good Luck with the sale!

]]> By: Doris Nagyhttp://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/living-in-your-home/green-home-conversion/ihow-care-foundationi/#comment-1358 Doris Nagy Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:43:01 +0000 http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/?p=788#comment-1358 I am ready to put my home up for sale. About a week ago a fine crack appeared in the cathedral ceiling. It extends from a fine line which appears horizontally along the top bricks next to the ceiling. I could not detect any problems on the exterior walls. Should I schedule a foundation inspection before my home goes on the market, or do the minor repairs? Thanks for your help -- Doris I am ready to put my home up for sale. About a week ago a fine crack appeared in the cathedral ceiling. It extends from a fine line which appears horizontally along the top bricks next to the ceiling. I could not detect any problems on the exterior walls. Should I schedule a foundation inspection before my home goes on the market, or do the minor repairs? Thanks for your help — Doris

]]> By: frankschulteladbeckhttp://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/living-in-your-home/green-home-conversion/ihow-care-foundationi/#comment-997 frankschulteladbeck Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:31:12 +0000 http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/?p=788#comment-997 How often and how much is a question of balance. The ground needs about an inch of water each week. If the ground is showing signs of cracks and pulling away from the foundation, then you need water. I try to water evenly around the house when I go to water my plants. If I see signs that the ground is too dry, like the cracks or if the plants are wilting, I water more. If the ground is real moist, then I would not water.All gutters will need care and cleaning at some point. Gutters which have a lip to allow in water but prevent leaves from entering are the best option for homeowners who are not able to get up and do cleaning. My experience is that these gutters will have debris fall into them, but not as much as an open gutter.I am hired by homeowners who want to a different opinion on the state of their home. For example, a plumber might check plumbing for a leak, but he might not walk around the house to see if water is coming in through a wall or roof. Hiring a home inspector is good if you have general problems and you are not sure of the source. If you know of a specific issue, like you see the pipe leaking under the sink, then hire the plumber. How often and how much is a question of balance. The ground needs about an inch of water each week. If the ground is showing signs of cracks and pulling away from the foundation, then you need water. I try to water evenly around the house when I go to water my plants. If I see signs that the ground is too dry, like the cracks or if the plants are wilting, I water more. If the ground is real moist, then I would not water.

All gutters will need care and cleaning at some point. Gutters which have a lip to allow in water but prevent leaves from entering are the best option for homeowners who are not able to get up and do cleaning. My experience is that these gutters will have debris fall into them, but not as much as an open gutter.

I am hired by homeowners who want to a different opinion on the state of their home. For example, a plumber might check plumbing for a leak, but he might not walk around the house to see if water is coming in through a wall or roof. Hiring a home inspector is good if you have general problems and you are not sure of the source. If you know of a specific issue, like you see the pipe leaking under the sink, then hire the plumber.

]]> By: Tina Prockhttp://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/living-in-your-home/green-home-conversion/ihow-care-foundationi/#comment-996 Tina Prock Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:27:56 +0000 http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/?p=788#comment-996 I am single mother and first time home owner. Being a single mother and having the new expense of my first home my budget is very limited and therefore I wanted to be sure to do my part in taking care of my new home and eliminating future expenses. I googled "How to take care of foundation" and found your article. The information is helpful. I knew about watering the house and have been doing so however I do not know how often or how much. I understand that it is possible to give the house too much water. Any advice on this. Also I have a two story home in a new sub division with very little trees should I have any special gutters installed? Thank you for your article and any further information you can provide me. Other than buying or selling my home is there other reasons I should be scheduling a home inspection? Thank you again for the great information. I am single mother and first time home owner. Being a single mother and having the new expense of my first home my budget is very limited and therefore I wanted to be sure to do my part in taking care of my new home and eliminating future expenses. I googled “How to take care of foundation” and found your article. The information is helpful. I knew about watering the house and have been doing so however I do not know how often or how much. I understand that it is possible to give the house too much water. Any advice on this. Also I have a two story home in a new sub division with very little trees should I have any special gutters installed?
Thank you for your article and any further information you can provide me. Other than buying or selling my home is there other reasons I should be scheduling a home inspection?
Thank you again for the great information.

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