Have you ever thought if your home was built on a shaky foundation what would happen?
In my #4 Thought Provoker blog series I wanted to get your attention referencing this important issue.
Drainage and Foundations are two important items you need to know about your home.
Living in San Antonio we have had TV coverage recently with home owners having distinct problems with their home from soil movement. End result foundation issues. Some areas in and around San Antonio have had problems for a number of years with soil movement causing cracks in the home, doors sticking, retainer walls not built correctly and falling.
Some of this movement can be caused from the drought and dry soil. One step further, type of soil and soil preparation. Back when I was growing up we had no problems where we lived, but three miles down the road it was called black muck and they did have foundation problems and soil movement. Surely you would not purchase a home if you knew it was in a flood zone; same goes with buying a home with foundation issues. Know the area where you intend to buy. Here at Canyon Lake most areas are build on solid rock.
A suggestion if you are presently living in a home pay attention to the drainage. Please recognize that water needs to drain"away" from the foundation. If you should encounter a problem this can be corrected with a change in landscape or a specificdrain system. You gutter and water run-off needs to drain away from the foundation. Pay attention to the drainage next time it rains. Most rainfall is one to two inches, but as we say in Texas a gully-washer can come and drop ten inches of rain within a couple hours.
After the next rain take a walk-around your home and check for issues.
If you are buying a home these are the things I look for and will document in my final report.
Reminder: Regular home maintenance is important; save yourself time and money.
Follow My Thought Provoker Series
Carl Winters, Advanced Home Inspector, license #3630. (licensed by TREC,
Texas Real Estate Commission). Complete Inspection Service
Carl's Thought Provoker Series, #4 January 10, 2010.
Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, San Antonio Texas.
"Living and Love Living in The Texas Hill Country"
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