Signs Of Trouble Vs. Insignificant Issues: Things You Might See When Performing An Exterior Home Inspection
by Lillian Bishop
It's a good idea to perform an exterior examination of your home on a regular basis. When you do, you might notice a variety of cracks and other defects in the walls of your home. Sometimes these defects can be indicative of a foundation problem, while other times these issues are harmless. Knowing how to interpret the information you collect when performing an exterior inspection can help you know when to get your home professionally evaluated.
Foundation Cracks
Some cracks in your concrete foundation are just that: simple cracks. Other cracks can be indicative of major foundation problems. Being able to tell the minor cracks from the cracks caused by serious foundation problems will help you know when it's time to call a professional.
- Hairline Cracks. Tiny cracks that appear in the mortar of your foundation, between concrete blocks, are generally not a problem. If you feel that these cracks have just recently appeared in your foundation, keep an eye on them to be sure they don't grow larger and more significant.
- Stair Stepping Cracks. Cracks that seem to cross your foundation in a stair step fashion are signs of a serious problem. The wider the crack the more serious the problem, but even thin cracks that follow this pattern should be inspected by a professional.
Leaning Chimney
Cracks that appear in the mortar that holds your home's chimney to the house is an indication that the house is settling and pulling away from the chimney. Relatedly, a leaning chimney could be another indication that your home is settling improperly. If either of these things occurs, your home could need professional foundation repair services.
Crumbling Concrete
Your home's concrete should never crumble. If you happen to notice that the concrete in your home's foundation seems to be flaking off, try poking the concrete with a screw driver. If the screw driver can cause more concrete to flake away from the home, your home's concrete foundation could need replacement.
Brick Veneer Damage
Brick veneer is like a skin stuck to the outside of your home. It's often not structural, and it also is particularly unbendable, which means that any amount of settling or movement in your house, even if it's harmless, can cause the veneer to crack. Small cracks that appear in the veneer are not necessarily of concern. However, if you notice the wall bulging in the center, have it checked out by a contractor who specializes in foundation evaluation and repair such as Safe-Guard Waterproofing.
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About Me
One of the things that helped sell my home quickly, at least according to my real estate agent, was the time I spent fixing up the landscaping. I knew about the importance of eye appeal, but who would have thought that something as simple as a storage shed or a backyard veggie garden could make such a big difference in the sale price of a home, and the length of time it takes to sell said home? Well to prove that my landscaping techniques worked, I helped three friends sell their homes using some of my tips and tricks. It seems to have worked, because every one of them were able to fetch their asking price and sell before their goal deadlines. So, I figured I should help others out there who could use a little help in the home selling department… hopefully you'll find inspiration on the pages here.
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