Consumption and Real Estate
Assistance with foundation problems?
Question : Assistance with foundation problems?
I purchased my home roughly 4 months ago, and during that time the inspector found only minor problems with the house (mostly cosmetic except for needing a new roof). Upon going upstairs this weekend, I noticed a crack in one of the walls and found out one of the upstairs bedroom doors are sticking. Now I’m terrified we have foundation issues.
Will homeowners insurance or our warranty help cover this? Can there be any legal disputing with our inspector?
We never would have agreed to cover the cost on foundation problems for this home, and now I’m terrified we’ve landed in a bad situation. Any advise will help. Thanks.
There was a pre-exisiting crack on the ceiling that we just attributed to settling, however I do not remember the crack on the wall. It is located somewhere relatively unnoticable, you have to be on the stairwell to see it.
The homeowners bought the house as an investment property and were less than agreeable through the purchasing process — I can’t imagine them answering any questions we may have for them.
homeowners warranty insurance
Best answer:
Answer by alvarz
and you are certain that this crack was not there before you purchased the home??? And that the bedroom door was
not sticking before???
Because you could sue your inspector for failing to list these faults if hey were there before. Did you contact the prior owners and ask them??
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#2 written by klbythebay@sbcglobal.net 1 year ago
Check contract for wording on patent and latent defects in both purchase and insurance/arranties. In some states the sale can be voided.
If the subsidence is resent upstairs but not downstairs then some/something has:
remediated a sag at the base but not the upper floor,
interfered with the normal settling,
given way/failed at the base of the upper floor.
Which of these is most liekely ?? My guess would be a partial repair/readjustment of doors downstairs.
A careful examination of the foundation itself should reveal what and where the cause is— a level line might disclose the spot quickly and show the amount of settlement.
Jacks should be placed at the low point to lift it back to alignment with the unsettled floor level, bracing/rigid support provided then the lieft released unto the new support system.
The cause of the settlement ought to be addressed by a licensed foundation engineer.
Several alternatives exist for stabiilizing the settled soil underneath—which one is appropriate depends upon the conditions uncovered and your budget for repairs.
(one alternative may just be leave it be—the settlement that was to occur has already happened and it will be stable from now on)
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Almost every settlement problem that I have seen has been associated with a water problem. The water causes a shift in the soil as it flows away which in turn disturbs foundations. In the 4 months you have owned your home have there been any ongoing or new water problems. Look for missing or blocked gutters. Are downspouts dropping water next to the foundation or is it be guided away. Is the ground around the house pitched away from the house as it should be or is it pitched toward the house guiding water next to the foundation.
You have said that you need a new roof. Is it leaking? Your concern is on the “upstairs” is that next to the roof? Water leaking from above might have swelled the door and wall. If the wall dries out again it could crack.
If you can eliminate this obvious source of settlement and a potential roof leak then keep in mind that the crack you now see could have been there before and not have been noticed. Doors will frequently stick during the summer and not during other times as the summer brings humidity that will swell wooden doors. You can shave the door and fill and repaint the crack or wait to see if the crack widens and the door shrinks and stops sticking in the fall. Don’t panic just act.