The foundation is the most critical part of a house or business property. Before obtaining a new home or acquiring a new business building, insurance companies are more and more often mandating home inspections so as to protect the buyer against potentially pricey repairs in the near future. So what exactly does a home inspector look for when inspecting the foundation of a property?

The very first thing inspectors do is take a look at the foundation itself and various other support components. If the foundation is falling apart or has repositioned and split over time this could quite possibly be cause for concern. A strong foundation is vital for the structural integrity of a property. Foundations can shift or bulge or even float, suggesting the ground below was not properly packed down before the foundation was laid and now has settled, leaving parts of the foundation actually floating in air. The type of soil beneath the property can also affect the soundness of the foundation. Soil can pack down, or be displaced, or if lawn sprinklers are close to the house, water damage can progressively wear down the foundation. As part of the foundation inspection, wood separation from soil will also be examined. home inspection charlotte nc

One more factor to examine is whether or not an addition has been built onto the existing home. If so, how is the additional structure supported. Was the whole entire foundation replaced, or was a new foundation poured exclusively to support the addition? If a patio was built in with no a slab or footing, what is supporting that structure?

Under-floor ventilation is examined to make sure it is up to specifications. Under-floor areas are required to be ventilated. This transpires by using openings in the exterior foundation walls. They have to deliver cross ventilation and have a net area of 1 square foot for each 150 square feet of under floor area. Each vent must absolutely have corrosion resistant wire mesh with openings of 1/8-inch minimum. There must be access for people to crawl through of at least 18" x 24." The under floor area must not be impeded by obstructions or ducts, according to Scribd.com.

Drainage systems, sewer lines and sump pumps will also be inspected, as they are located inside the foundation footprint. As properties shift with time, piping leading to and from the property may be weakened.

In California specifically, seismic anchoring and bracing components will be analyzed and will need to be up to code to ensure the safety of the property in case of an earthquake.

While inspecting the foundation is just a small part of what a home inspector does, it is a very important one. visit