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Answers (9)
- REisBroken
- Contributions:21
Cracked foundation might be due to movement, might be due to substandard slab construction. Might be because house was built over a buried trash pit or there is a leak underground.
Basic rule: if it feels like a bad idea, it usually is.
- ConnieK_ppm
- Contributions:97
flat ground is irrelevant.
a home inspector is not qualified to do much more than point out there is a crack and suggest you have someone else look at it. a foundation repair company will most likely sell you an idea or solution.
a structural engineer will most likely evaluate the problem and define possible solutions (then you can call those people for free estimates).
keep in mind also that once there is work done to deal with the crack (if required) the repair may cause the need for peripheral repairs (shingles, windows, flooring etc). if I weren't running away from it I'd have a structural engineer review it- i'd choose this engineer by asking my insurance company for names of them. Then I'd probably only buy if the price were fantastic and I loved the land and didn't mind if everyoen was wrong and I needed to level the house in a few years. but that's just me- not necessarily advice.
- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4699
I would not buy a house in a slab with the slab cracked and uneven. Small spiderweb cracks alone can just be concrete being concrete. But the crack having a dip shows some serious issue I would not want to deal with.
- Tom Lynch, "tlynch26"
- Contributions:304
If you really like this house and the crack in the foundation appears to be the only significant issue to your untrained eyes, then make an offer and be sure your offer has an inspection contingency clause so you can back out if the foundation is in fact problematic, and/or the seller is unwilling to escrow funds to take care of it. Your buyer's agent can explain this, or your real estate attorney.
Good luck!
Tom Lynch
.
Good luck!
Tom Lynch
.
- Toni Bouman, "Toni Bouman"
- Contributions:1
This is definitely something not to be overlooked, regardless of the fact that the house is on a level lot. I would have a certified home inspector look at the home immediately, and, based on his reccommendation, secondly, have a structural engineer take a look at the foundation as well. It may cost a little bit of money out of pocket, but it could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. I've seen houses built on clay soil that expands and contracts seasonly that causes these cracks and worst case, I've seen grass actually growing up out of the carpet!
- Rudi Hofmann, "LUXURY HOME LOANS CA"
- Contributions:7435
2012- You may find the link below informative.
http://www.inspectapedia.com/structure/foundation.htm .... Best wishes.
Happy funding, Rudi
http://www.inspectapedia.com/structure/foundation.htm .... Best wishes.
Happy funding, Rudi
- Ofe Polack, "Ofe Polack"
- Contributions:1418
I suggest that you have a Home Inspection done on the property.
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5667
Flat ground has nothing to do with "cracked slabs". Flat, level ground can still be subject to movement. Either way, cracked slabs are not good. They are the structural foundation of the house, and having one compromised is never good. On top of that, it can be expensive to fix, and will have to be disclosed when you attempt to sell - even if it was fixed.
- Brian Teyssier, "Brian Teyssier GRI"
- Contributions:964
Consult an expert!
What should I know about cracks in slab foundations?
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