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Old 08-29-2016, 10:43 PM
 
99 posts, read 170,960 times
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I am in the process of buying a 8 years old one story house (in katy), found there are 2-3 areas on the side exterior wall have step cracks on mortar and bricks (photos attached). Cracks is about 1/8 inch or less wide. There is no sign on the slab concrete foundation of any visible cracks.

Anyone know if they are normal house settlement cracks or can be potential foundation issues. Really appreciate your valuable input. Thank you!!
Attached Thumbnails
House normal settlement or potential foundation issue??-dsc03175.jpg   House normal settlement or potential foundation issue??-dsc03177.jpg   House normal settlement or potential foundation issue??-dsc03171.jpg  
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Old 08-29-2016, 10:54 PM
 
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I'd have a structural engineer look at it first.
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Old 08-30-2016, 04:09 AM
 
Location: Woodfield
2,086 posts, read 4,134,518 times
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Your realtor should have gotten you an engineering company to do a foundation check, normal part of buying process here.
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Old 08-30-2016, 06:15 AM
 
958 posts, read 2,575,141 times
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The cracks right now are very minor, but could be early signs of foundation issues.

Suggestions from previous posters are right on.
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Old 08-30-2016, 08:09 AM
 
99 posts, read 170,960 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by predatorprey View Post
The cracks right now are very minor, but could be early signs of foundation issues.

Suggestions from previous posters are right on.
Want to get some experience from here before I decided if I need to consult a structural engineer. If it is foundation issue, I would just skip this house instead of spending money for evaluation. Thank you everyone.
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Old 08-30-2016, 08:19 AM
 
34,619 posts, read 21,635,782 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by allen3iverson View Post
Want to get some experience from here before I decided if I need to consult a structural engineer. If it is foundation issue, I would just skip this house instead of spending money for evaluation. Thank you everyone.
If you really like that particular house, and it's unlikely you will find something comparable, spend the money.

If it's not, just move on.
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Old 08-30-2016, 08:42 AM
 
99 posts, read 170,960 times
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One more step crack area on the other side of the house.

btw, the house interior looks pretty good, no cracks on ceiling or interior wall
Attached Thumbnails
House normal settlement or potential foundation issue??-3.jpg  
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Old 08-30-2016, 09:08 AM
 
225 posts, read 520,260 times
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cracks all over the house is not a good sign
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Old 08-30-2016, 09:14 AM
 
2,047 posts, read 2,986,514 times
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The owner should have done a foundation check and gave you the results. I thought this was standard in Houston.

I would not proceed unless they spring the money for the check. Of course, if the house is priced way below other comps...then...
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Old 08-30-2016, 10:15 AM
 
Location: Woodfield
2,086 posts, read 4,134,518 times
Reputation: 2319
Quote:
Originally Posted by ipuck View Post
The owner should have done a foundation check and gave you the results. I thought this was standard in Houston.

I would not proceed unless they spring the money for the check. Of course, if the house is priced way below other comps...then...
Buyer does it as part of the normal survey/inspection, as part of the survey cost. As far as the seller is concerned, there's nothing wrong with the foundation so why should they check it ?
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