My husband and I found a cute house that had been rehabbed and we really wanted to buy it. But our real estate agent pointed out a horizontal crack in the basement wall. About 3 - 4 feet of the crack was visible and it disappeared behind an adjacent wall, so we don't know how long the crack really extends. The adjacent room is a bathroom, so we would have to tear out the shower to see how far the crack extends.
The crack is not wide, (only 5-10 millimeters) and it is not uneven, (one side of the crack does not stick out farther than the other side) - it is flush.
Would you worry about this? Any advice?
2007-01-20 11:31:49 · 13 answers · asked by Agent99 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
DON'T Buy the House unless an Engineer has verified the Damage and the Potential Damage from Settling or Other forces that caused the CRACK!
Have the Home Owner pay for ALL or Half of the FEE for the inspection and evaluation, IF YOU ARE REALLY INTERESTED!
IN addition, there may BE CRACKS, that Are Not VISIBLE = YET!
Thanks, RR
2007-01-20 11:38:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
how old is the crack? if it has been there a long time it means the house has settled sometime ago and if it has not gotten larger since it first appeared then it could mean that it may not be too bad after all.
you will eventually need to fix it but i do not think the house will be compromised anytime. also, if you can get a discounted price due to the crack and if you love the house that much, then it will be your decision.
also, if you are making a loan, the house has to be inspected and if the inspector does not note it as anything really bad, then it may not be a problem. also, did you notice if anything leaks in the adjacent bathroom? if you have to one day redo the bathroom that would be better than flooding a room.
so, just think about it and see what the inspector says.
2007-01-21 21:28:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Realtor not a housing inspector. The basement wall is the foundation of the house. If the foundation is compromised and weight of the house is unevenly distributed this can cause problems in other areas of the house.Things from squeaky floors to broken joists. The crack is not a guarantee of future problems and there are repairs for basement walls that are cracked or bowing. If you choose to write an offer on this property make the offer contingent upon inspection by a professional. This is a very common thing and for $300 or so you'll have peace of mind regardless of the outcome.
2007-01-20 11:43:02 · answer #3 · answered by Scott I 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Horizontal cracks indicate foundation settling. That is not supposed to happen. Is it bad? Maybe not! Is it good? definitely not! Is it ok? Only time will tell! Good news is, It is not going to fall in tomorrow. Bad news, It may have to be repaired some day, and you will have to disclose the crack (and/or the repair) when you decide to sell. I would try to get some verbal (ballpark) estimates to repair it,by describing what you see. If you really like everything else, and you are going to stay there a few years, then use the information to get the price reduced. Once you own it. Measure the crack and take pictures (with dates), about every six months check it again, if it doesn't get worse, leave it alone.
Keep the dated pictures in your file and when you decide to sell and the new buyer tries to get the price reduced, show the pictures indicating there is not a problem. Whew! Good Luck.
2007-01-20 11:50:43 · answer #4 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
first look for mineral deposits along the crack. If there is a white or green stain, it is leaking. If there is no stain, and the crack is less than a quarter inch, seal it and monitor it. You will also need to check and see if the wall is bowed.
2007-01-20 11:42:12 · answer #5 · answered by Big D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
some cracking is due to settlement however this can lead to leaking wich is not a cheap fix in the future. I would get my own inspector to look at it or a basement repair firm to look at it and give an estimate to fix it. You can then use that as leverage in your bid price for the house....
2007-01-20 11:38:02 · answer #6 · answered by jbren89639 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some cracks have no impact on a concrete foundation’s structural integrity, while others are indications of problems that need to be fixed before any refinishing work can be done. - See more at: http://www.miconstruguia.com/en/concrete-foundation-problems/
2014-02-28 20:17:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No i would not be worried at all. Its not a problem. you can simply dry wall it and paint over it. If its a cement wall then just fill it. The crack is most likely due to climate. I would just suggest to spackle it
2007-01-20 11:38:07 · answer #8 · answered by uofmeuchre 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, you are in for a world of trouble. The foundation is settling, and it will leak, mold, etc. if not repaired. This will cost a mint!!
2007-01-20 11:35:25 · answer #9 · answered by St♥rmy Skye 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
where are you? in melbourne a quarter of all houses are cracking because of the drought. if your worried hire an architect or structural engineer.
2007-01-20 11:34:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋