All homeowners hate unexpected repair bills, even if they have set aside some cash for emergencies. This is especially true for foundation repairs, which can be costly depending on the problem. As a budget-conscious homeowner, you’ll be tempted to delay getting a home foundation inspection that leads to repairs. Here are 10 reasons why you shouldn’t.
1. Bad Foundation Equates to Safety Hazards
You and your neighbor inspected the cracks in your basement wall after a moderately strong earthquake touched your area. He suggests that you get a home foundation inspection. A foundation inspection happens when a qualified professional examines your home’s foundation for signs of damage by soil movement, pressure, or water that can cause cracks. Emergencies such as earthquakes and a vehicle striking your home can lead to a collapsed building. You can eliminate your risk for this safety hazard by knowing a foundation inspection and getting repairs done promptly.
2. Home Foundation Repairs Can Prevent Water Damage
The Middle Tennessee area gets its fair share of rain. When your foundation is in disrepair, cracks can let water seep inside and damage any items stored in your basement. Regular exposure to excess water can cause wood flooring and support beams to rot. Fixing a bad foundation can eliminate cracks and crumbling areas that let in water during storms and flooding.
3. Foundation Inspection Can Uncover Progressive Structural Damage
All of the elements of your home are affected by the condition of its foundation. When your foundation has shifted, and a sinking foundation repair is needed, you may experience doors that no longer fit into frames or cracks in walls that indicate structural damage. Getting an inspection can give you an early warning of minor foundation issues that can lead to structural damage later.
4. Higher Repair Bills
Minor foundation issues can often be fixed quickly and inexpensively. However, repair costs go up when you wait to do needed foundation repairs.
5. Mold Overgrowth
While mold is a natural element of indoor and outdoor environments, mold overgrowth can cause several health problems for you and your family. Some of them include severe respiratory ailments and skin rashes, depending on the type of mold that has taken over your home. A cracked foundation can make your home overly wet, and mold spores thrive in moisture-rich environments. After discovering mold in your home, you’ll need to hire a professional to clean the affected area safely.
6. Pest Infestation
Mold spores aren’t the only organisms that love humid basements and floors. Many basement bugs such as spiders, carpenter ants, and silverfish enjoy this type of home as well. However, you need to watch out for the pests that are termites. Termites can do large amounts of structural damage before homeowners even discover them, and they love to chew through damp wooden floors and beams. A foundation inspection can alert homeowners to possible termite problems, and home foundation repairs can make homes less desirable to insects such as carpenter ants and termites.
7. Sinking Foundation Repair Can Stop Plumbing Problems
Your home’s plumbing is an intricate collection of pipes and drain lines that traverse your home. When foundations shift, concrete slabs can break underground pipes. You can avoid inconvenient plumbing problems and costly underground pipe repairs by fixing foundation issues early.
8. Higher Utility Bills
Today’s homeowners go to great lengths to make their homes as energy-efficient as possible. This includes everything from installing extra insulation to choosing higher-quality appliances. However, all of those efforts are made in vain if you have a faulty foundation that lets moisture into your home.
Your home’s HVAC system works to keep your home comfortable, including maintaining temperature and humidity levels. As your home becomes overly moist, your HVAC system must work harder to keep your family comfortable. This equates to higher utility bills each month and a shorter life for your HVAC unit overall.
9. Decline in Property Value
During hot property markets, it seems that home shoppers are willing to compromise on specific issues just to win the bid on a sought-after property. However, homes with foundation problems are red flags to home buyers, real estate agents, and lenders. While the home shopper may purchase your home with minor foundation issues, they won’t likely pay your total asking price.
10. Lost Home Sale
If your property has sagging floors, crooked walls, and windows or doors that don’t close properly, the chances are high that a potential home buyer will want to get a home foundation inspection before they decide to purchase your home. If significant foundation problems aren’t addressed, you’ll likely lose the home sale.
Nashville’s Foundation Repair Experts
Your structural engineer found problems with your home’s foundation. There’s no need to panic. Ground Up Foundation Repair specializes in fixing foundation issues in the Middle Tennessee area, and we back up our work with a solid warranty. Contact us to schedule an inspection of your foundation without delay.