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There are so many things you can check and look for when viewing homes, and one very quick and easy thing to start with is to inspect the exterior and interior doors. They will tell you a lot about the structure of the home. Do they open and close easily? Do they bind? Do they even close at all? Do they close themselves after you open them? Does the door latch/deadbolt and strike plate line up properly and engage together? Are there large gaps between the door and the door jam? These warning signs could mean that there has been some structural movement in the house, either from a sinking or heaving foundations or incorrectly adjusted teleposts.
If you see something like this, it’s always a good idea to do some further investigating in to what is causing it so you can correct it, prevent it from getting worse, or know that it’s a sign to walk away from the home. It could be a relatively cheap fix like adjusting the teleposts, or a very expensive repair like underpinning the foundation, installing weeping tile and sump pits, or repouring concrete slabs, which could be cost prohibitive for many.
If you have any questions about your home’s foundation, don’t hesitate to contact me. I know great home inspectors and structural engineers who can provide you with more information on the subject.
– Justin
