Selling a Home With a Faulty Foundation

Selling a home is an expensive endeavor on its own. If you have to fix a leaking foundation, you may find yourself wondering: are you going to get value back for all of your hard work?

While it’s not impossible to sell a home with a leaking foundation, it is always more financially sound to reach out to a local foundation repair contractor yourself. These professionals will be able to guide you through the process of repairing your foundation and give you back your home – and all of its market value.

The Causes of Foundation Leaks

Foundations don’t start leaking out of nowhere. You’ll want to keep an eye on your surroundings and on the condition of your home if you want to anticipate a leak. There are some clear signs that can let you know whether or not damage may be imminent. These include but are not limited to:

• Heavy rain
• Shifting soil
• Your foundation’s response to the weather
• Your foundation materials
• The nearby expansion of tree roots

As you can see, foundations most often leak as a result of an environmental change or hazard. If you notice the weather in your area shifting rapidly or the trees in your yard suffering from ill health, it may be time to check out the state of your foundation.

Signs to Look Out For

There are clearer symptoms to keep an eye out for, however, that’ll tell you right away whether or not your foundation is in one piece. The symptoms you’ll find inside of your home include:

• Bowing walls
• Shifting floors
• Gaps at the joints of your foundation
• Sticking doors
• Foggy windows
• Water-damaged belongings or furniture
• Mold

Unfortunately, many homeowners are so stressed by the thought of paying for home foundation repairs that they let cracks grow unattended. If you leave a crack too long, the leak in your foundation will start to impact the outside of your home. Exterior signs of a severe foundation leak include:

• Vertical cracks in your walls
• A cracked chimney
• Cracks running horizontally across your foundation
• Sinking

What to Do If Your Foundation is Leaking

It’s tempting, when you first notice the signs of a leak, to wait and hope that the leak patches itself up or that the weather in your area improves. On one hand, this course of action is understandable. After all, you can sell a home with a leaking foundation. On the other hand, you’ll have to note that the foundation has gone untreated in your listing. In doing so, you risk losing up to 30 percent of your home’s market value.

It’s often the most financially-sound decision to try and treat your home before a leak can worsen. There are a number of ways you can do so, including:

• Piering
• Underpinning
• Leveling and slabjacking
• Sealing
• Subfloor drainage

Depending on the severity of your leak, these treatments can cost anywhere between $500 and $6,000. You won’t be able to choose a solution at random, though. You’re going to need to get in touch with a local contractor if you want to choose the best solution for your home and unique situation.

The good news is that if you’re worried about saving money, most foundation repair contractors provide you with an initial inspection free of charge. After this inspection, you’ll have a better idea of your leak’s cause and what the contractor can do to dry out your home.

Calling for Back-up

In this era of DIY and renovation, it’s tempting to try and take on the challenge of filling a leak on your own. This is never something you should do, though, unless you have the proper certifications. If you try to fill a foundation leak without professional guidance, you risk making the leak worse and further devaluing your home.

Selling your property is stressful enough on its own time. Don’t rely on luck to regain your home’s value. Instead, reach out to a local contractor as soon as you suspect a leak. If you work quickly, you’ll be able to repair your foundation for lower costs and retain your home’s market value.

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