Buying a house: Cracks (floor, how much, foundation, colors)
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Hello
We live in upstate NY area. I made an offer to a house and the offer was accepted. The house has a foundation wall crack and basement floor cracks. The pictures are attached. The inspector says it is normal and we should not worry. I would like to get your two cents as well.
Thanks.
Hello
We live in upstate NY area. I made an offer to a house and the offer was accepted. The house has a foundation wall crack and basement floor cracks. The pictures are attached. The inspector says it is normal and we should not worry. I would like to get your two cents as well.
Thanks.
Well... It may not be a horrible thing, but it's certainly not a good thing. I've got a 100-year old 2-story brick house that has NO cracks like that in the floor or the block basement walls.
What's going on is settling. It's somewhat typical. But what nobody can, at this juncture tell, is how much MORE settling there will be.
I don't know that that cracking is a deal killer, but I would be at least somewhat concerned about it.
I just had a home inspection for mine and the inspector said other than settling, the concrete people now add more water to stretch the concrete / cut cost, so the foundation isn't as solid as it used to be. This is diff from your case though since your basement is on cement block, not poured concrete, but I just want to throw it out there if others read this thread.
Let me guess, your inspector works with your salesperson to push through the sale.
You really need to have the house checked out by a structural engineer as most of us on CD aren't qualified and can't see the entire structure. Expensive, yes, but can you afford not to have an independent expert advise you? Have you looked for any water damage around the cracks? Are the walls true? Each winter as the ground freezes and thaws, it will causes water/ ice in the cracks to expand and put pressure on the walls.
Always use independent and separate chimney inspector, plumber, and electrician before you buy the house so they have no financial interest in the outcome.
Let me guess, your inspector works with your salesperson to push through the sale. Add to that - the inspectors can not be held liable for their mistakes
You really need to have the house checked out by a structural engineer as most of us on CD aren't qualified and can't see the entire structure. Expensive, yes, but can you afford not to have an independent expert advise you? Have you looked for any water damage around the cracks? Are the walls true? Each winter as the ground freezes and thaws, it will causes water/ ice in the cracks to expand and put pressure on the walls. A good reputable concrete contractor may be just as good (find your own)
Always use independent and separate chimney inspector, plumber, and electrician before you buy the house so they have no financial interest in the outcome.
You will also want your own arborist to do a site eval - even looking at the trees close to the property line on the neighbors side of a fence....
Hello
We live in upstate NY area. I made an offer to a house and the offer was accepted. The house has a foundation wall crack and basement floor cracks. The pictures are attached. The inspector says it is normal and we should not worry. I would like to get your two cents as well.
Thanks.
The floor cracks would not bother me as much as the wall crack.. Is the picture of the foundation where the basement is on the inside How far down does that crack go and is the waterproofing compromised below grade... What does the lot look like in terms of water shedding My concern would be water coming in that crack - especially if you plan to finish the basement... water in a finished basement is not any fun
Heidi60 that is exactly right. I didn't have a buyer's agent and the inspector was one of the three suggested by the seller's agent. In his report he says "no corrective action is necessary".
And guys thanks for the advise. I will go ahead and look for a foundation expert tomorrow before finalizing the deal.
Well it might not be a big problem. You can cover those cracks with the strong wall base and finishing.It looks pretty good if you choose the furniture according to your wall finishing colors. It is the best way to decorate our house.
Why didn't I think of that!
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