What to Expect From a Professional Foundation Inspection?

Like many major home repairs, the average homeowner may not be familiar with what to look for when they start asking around for quotes and inspections. Here we’ll explain what you should look for in a foundation repair inspection.

How long should the inspection take?

This can vary depending on the home size, type of foundation, and areas where you’ve noticed damage. In truth, the time is less important than that the inspector thoroughly reviews the foundation, its support, and any damaged areas or areas of potential damage. For example, many contractors will not actually enter to crawl space to check the foundation interior. If you watch the inspection it will be obvious which contractors are actually reviewing the foundation as well as signs of damage.

Who should perform the inspection?

The inspection should be performed by a certified engineer. Only a certified engineer will be able to create a proper repair plan that can later be submitted to the city for the appropriate permits. Although some contractors may be experienced with foundation repair, if they do not have the proper engineer certifications they will not be able to create a repair plan that can be used to repair your home according to appropriate safety regulations.

What will the contractor inspect around my home?

While this can vary depending on where you’ve noticed signs of damage here are some of the things you can expect from a foundation inspection:

1. Floor elevation survey.
   They may look for sagging or bowing in the floor

2. Foundation perimeter observational review.
   Look for obvious signs of damage, such as cracks, soil movement, or water damage.

3. Crawl space foundation review.
   Many contractors skip out actually entering the crawl space. This is important for any true inspection!

4. Test walls, doors, and windows for sticking.
   Bowing or sticking can be signs of foundation failure

5. Soil survey.
   Shifting soil is a common cause of foundation issues, and many times needs to be considered carefully for any repair job.

6. Review damage noted by the homeowner.

If contractors are skipping these steps or not actually entering the crawl space, you should be concerned that you are not receiving a thorough foundation inspection. A proper repair plan can only be created by a certified engineer who has thoroughly inspected the foundation and any area that can indicate its stability.

At Sure Safe we always use engineer certified city approved repair plans. If you’ve noticed any potential damage to your foundation let us help you save money and fix the problem before it grows. Contact us today for a foundation inspection!