You’re walking up your driveway after checking the mail and you notice a little crack between the mortar and bricks near a window. You brush it off and go inside. A month later, you notice the crack again and think – “Is that crack getting bigger? I wonder if it’s a problem.” Again, you ignore it.
Six months later, you get a job promotion that includes a move, and a for sale sign is placed in your yard. And, as you’re filling out the paperwork for your realtor, that crack creeps back into your mind. “Will it negatively impact the sale price? Will it make selling your home more difficult?”
The truth is that while the effects will vary based on several factors, foundation integrity, and home value are intrinsically linked. In some cases, you can lose tens of thousands of dollars in home resale value because of foundation issues.
Understanding Foundation Damage
Foundation integrity and home value are a concern for every homeowner. That’s why you should be aware of common problems like cracks in the foundation slab, upheaval, settling, and water damage and how to spot them.
Detecting foundation issues is commonplace in Georgia due to soil types and weather patterns. Homeowners may see foundation damage as:
- doors that fail to latch
- windows that stick or won’t close properly
- diagonal cracks above window frames or in walls
- uneven floors and gaps between walls and ceilings
- water or damp conditions in basements and/or crawlspaces
If you have spotted any of these warning signs, a professional foundation inspection is in order to ensure that there are no critical issues to the home’s structural integrity.
The Impact on Home Resale Value
Your home’s resale value is, in part, dependent on the health of your home’s foundation. On average, foundation issues can decrease the resale value of your home by 10-15%. That can mean big bucks and may have you considering home improvement for resale options before listing your property.
As the common saying goes, “You only get one first impression.” That matters in real estate as well. If a buyer can see cracks or bowing walls, they are less likely to be interested in purchasing the home at list price or at all. Buyers are looking for homes that suit their needs – size, location, style – and that feel safe and look good, so detecting foundation issues before you decide to sell is key.
Benefits of Early Detection and Repair
The sooner you address foundation repair in Acworth, GA, the better. This is true whether or not you are planning to sell your property because protecting the structural integrity of a home protects the people inside.
When it comes to foundation integrity and home value, there are two key benefits of early detection and foundation repair:
- Saving money – Typically, the sooner you address a foundation issue, the cheaper it is to fix.
- Saving time – When a foundation issue is smaller, it takes less time to correct it. Additionally, when selling a home, that process can be held up during inspection if foundation issues are found.
Why Choose H2O Proof and Foundation Repair
When it comes to professional foundation repair services, the H2O Proof & Foundation Repair team cares about your home and your family. We conduct thorough inspections to really understand what is causing your home’s foundation issues and what needs to be done to correct them.
We bring more than 30 years of hands-on experience to every home and family we serve. We strive to provide quality, affordable solutions that last by using a push pier and/or helical pier system to repair foundation issues and protect your home’s value.
Preventative Measures for Homeowners
While certain foundation concerns like settling over time are inevitable, there are some things that you can do to protect your foundation integrity and home value, including:
- lengthening your downspouts
- look out for water or smells of humidity in the air (especially in basements and crawlspaces)
- be mindful of tree roots too close to your home
- keep gutters clean
- grade your yard so water flows away from your home
- get a professional foundation inspection
If selling your home is on your mind, be sure you are protecting your largest investment with waterproofing services in Georgia. H2O Proof & Foundation Repair is standing by to help alleviate your concerns with a professional foundation inspection and expert advice on how to handle foundation issues in the most appropriate and affordable way possible. Give us a call today!
