Repairing Older Home Foundations

The charm of older homes has become one of the best selling points in modern real estate, but many people are hesitant to buy due to the issues that can arise as they renovate the house up to modern standards. Old wiring has long been an issue, and buyers are concerned about the cost of replacing all of it. They know it will be expensive, but they also know that failure to replace it could cause a house fire. There are plumbing issues to be solved as well, and these can make the home uninhabitable if not corrected. Some of the most difficult repairs can be structural, and a bad foundation can be the start of large repair bills.

A Settled House

When a house is first built, it is level and ready for occupancy. The foundation will settle over the years, and there may be a few cracks, gaps and floors that are suddenly not quite level. These often are a sign that the house has simply settled into the area, but they can be an indication that it was not properly supported when the structure was built. A little settling should be expected, but a house inspection should be done if settling issues are noticeable when prospective buyers tour the home. If the inspector finds there is structural damage, it is time to decide if a few repairs can be done or the entire structure should be demolished.

Digging into Issues

Buying any structure without a good inspection is like throwing money out the window, so it has become the modern way to invest in ensuring the worth of a house before purchase. Some issues are easy to correct, and they can often be done by the new buyers. Other issues are complex, and they will require a contractor, an engineer and a large amount of money before the structure is no longer at risk. Making the choice to buy or not can depend upon the issues, so taking the time to look into them and get estimates before buying is one way to find out whether or not it is worth the price. Digging into issues such as correcting wiring, plumbing and the foundation are well worth the time it takes if hidden problems are found and known before a renovation takes place.

Correcting Issues from the Bottom Up

The foundation is the support for the entire structure, so correcting issues from the bottom up is the best way to begin. Contractors do not have to demolish an entire structure to do this, but it can ruin even a healthy renovation budget. Rather than take the house down, they often dig deep into the basement and pour new footings for support. Testing the ground before they do it might lead them to secure the area with a healthy dose of aggregates as well as silica sand from Minerals Marketing to support the concrete footings they will need to secure the structure.

Buying an older home for its charm is one way people are reclaiming the past as well as looking towards the future, but the repair bills can be overwhelming if they are unaware of the problems they will face when renovating. Ge