Foundation Inspection

Visually inspect your foundations at least annually. For concrete slabs, look for cracks, soil separation from the edges of the slab, evidence of pest intrusion (mud or mounds of dirt on the slab edges), water stains or discoloration. In a climate with elastic soils, some cracking is not unusual. But large cracks (greater than ¼-inch) should be evaluated by an expert, especially if any buckling or warping of walls or floors is also present.

If you have a pier-and-beam foundation, check the crawlspace skirting and vent openings for proper ventilation to prevent moisture buildup and barriers to animal access. You should probably leave the actual crawling under the crawlspace to an expert, but you can remove the skirting and shine a bright flashlight into the crawlspace to look for obvious problems. Some issues you might find are separations of piers from beams, slipped or missing shims, rotted wood, evidence of water or plumbing leaks, pests, and so forth. #foundation #homefoundation #foundationinspection #diyfoundation #foundationissues #commonfoundationproblems