Structures

Serious structural problems are a considerable undertaking and a substancial expense. Some can’t be fixed at all. Here are a few of the common indicators.

Uneven Floors Leaning House
Uneven floors are typical, particularly in older homes. Here is a trick to help distinguish between a typical home with character and a structural problem.Floor sags to the middle of the home is fairly common in older homes. If the floor slopes towards an outside wall, there is a good chance that the house has a significant structural problem. No house is perfect however, if there is a lean that is detectable by eye, don’t take any chances, get it investigated by a qualified structural engineer.

HORIZONTAL FOUNDATION CRACKS ARE SERIOUS
Foundation cracks are common. This goes for new houses as well as old ones. While there is a great deal of engineering that goes into “reading” these cracks, there is one rule that you should keep in mind and that is that “Horizontal cracks in your foundation are a problem”.

Horizontal Foundation Cracks

Harmless Cracks
Most new foundations will develop small vertical cracks. These cracks are a result of the concrete shrinking as it cures. These cracks are about  1mm wide or less. They don’t affect the structure. The only concern is moisture pentration and leakage.

Harmless Cracks