Manufactured Home Foundation Certifications
If you are selling or buying a manufactured home, a foundation certification will most likely be required. For all FHA and VA loans, an engineer’s foundation certification is required that states the home is placed on a permanent foundation that complies with the “HUD Permanent Foundation Guide for Manufactured Homes,” dated 1996 by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
We have partnered with the engineers at Foundation Certifications to provide a turn-key foundation certification service. You may place your order online at http://www.FoundationCerts.com/order.
The goal of a foundation is to support and carry the structure above it together. Contrary to popular belief, the ground is not completely still and, in many circumstances, is not extremely stable. Natural forces are more prone to damage or destroy a structure that is just plunked down on bare earth. A correctly constructed foundation increases the amount of challenging
Foundation Inspections: All You Need to Know
An inspection, also known as a consultation, determines the best course of action for fixing a home’s foundation, depending on the company. A foundation repair professional will inspect your property and listen to your worries as you point out any issues you may notice.
A foundation expert will also notice indicators and difficulties that indicate foundation degradation and the need for repair, some of which you may have overlooked or paid little or no attention to. Measurements will be gathered throughout the inspection, and damage and failing spots on the outside and inside of the home will be examined.
During the inspection, the foundation repair professional will assess the obvious signs of damage and look for subtle indicators that may suggest deeper, underlying issues. These can include slight structural shifts, hairline cracks in the walls, or uneven floors that might not be immediately apparent to the untrained eye. The professional's experience allows them to connect these small clues to potentially more significant problems, ensuring nothing is overlooked. This thorough approach is essential in creating a comprehensive understanding of the home's condition, which is the first step in preventing further deterioration.
Once the inspection is complete and all necessary data has been gathered, the foundation expert will craft a tailored repair plan that addresses immediate concerns and potential future risks. This plan will include detailed steps for the repairs, the types of materials to be used, and the estimated timeline for completion.
Transparency is key, so the expert will ensure that you fully understand the scope of the work, including any possible disruptions during the repair process. In addition to discussing the cost, the expert may also provide financing options or warranties, giving you peace of mind and confidence in your home's long-term stability.
After that, a strategy for repairing your home’s foundation will be devised. The most crucial thing you may also want to hear is the projected cost of the repairs, which will also be addressed.
A foundation inspection is the most significant step in the pre-repair process. Detecting and addressing the homeowner’s concerns is crucial to ensuring that any problems discovered are addressed clearly and precisely.
In certain circumstances, after consulting with a foundation repair expert, the best course of action may be to wait and observe how things evolve. Depending on how the home is utilized and what the owner wants for it, sometimes the wisest action is to do nothing at all.
What does a foundation check by a structural engineer entail?
A visual assessment of the foundation
The structural experts will inspect the foundation and basement walls for indicators of structural movement, such as cracking in the ceiling or walls, sloped or uneven flooring, dampness, mildew, or general water inside the basement. Uneven floors can indicate a problem with the foundation.
An examination of the surrounding environment
Improper water management can often lead to foundation problems. A structural engineer will examine the foundation, considering the slopes surrounding it, the presence or absence of a roof water management system, the types of soils around it, neighboring shrubs and huge tree roots.
All of these elements can impact the state of your foundation and, if not properly handled, can result in cracks, structural challenges, and basement water.
Examining the Interior of the House
Access to the entire house is necessary for the inspection. It may not be feasible to perform the inspection if all areas of the house are not open. The majority of inspections begin when the homeowner has noticed signs of damage. These issues are addressed to the inspector during the inspection or in advance via phone calls and photos.
High Quality, Trusted Foundation Professionals
Your home’s foundation is usually one of its most crucial components. Since the foundation is what everything else sits upon, any issues could turn into a massive and costly headache. The cost of foundation repairs can be upwards of $10,000, depending on the damage’s extent. Worse yet, homeowners insurance may not cover these costs if they are due to ground shifting or wear and tear.
If expansive clay or poor soil density exists beneath and around your foundation, your concrete foundation walls can experience too much pressure, resulting in cracks, bowing, and settling. These problems—and others—can be compounded by faulty construction or improper maintenance.
What are the most common causes of foundation problems?
Finding the cause of your foundation problems can help us find the right solution for you. Foundation problems are nearly always caused by one (or more) of the following:
- Too Much Water
When the soil around the foundation of your walls swells (usually due to heavy rains), it exerts additional pressure on your walls, called hydrostatic pressure. This pressure weakens your foundation’s structure.
- Not Enough Water
If your area is experiencing a drought, the soil around your foundation will shrink and pull away from your foundation walls. As the soil moves, your foundation walls may not have the required support and will crack.
- Surrounding Soil
Like water issues, expansive and consolidating soils (like clay soil) can affect your home by expanding and constricting. Expansion can cause upheaval (your foundation going up), while constriction can cause settlement (your foundation sinking).
- Poor Drainage
If the area surrounding your home has poor drainage, it’s likely to affect your foundation.
- Poor Preparation
If the contractor who built your home did not prepare the soil before building, you’ll likely experience settling. For example, not properly compacting fill soils can result in your foundation moving from its original position.
- Poor Construction
If your home was built with substandard techniques, your foundation could experience shifts or cracking.
Sturdy Solutions for Your Foundation Problems
The return on investment from foundation repair is estimated to be around 30 percent. But the health and structural benefits, not to mention peace of mind, are priceless.
Wall Anchors
Structural instability is no joke. If you see bulging, bowing, or extensive cracks in your basement walls, wall anchors could keep your house on its feet.
Helical Piers
Foundation instability is a huge problem with few viable solutions. Helical piers make keeping your home stable and level a little easier.
Push Piers
The primary advantage of a push pier system is that it stabilizes your home’s foundation permanently and may even be able to lift it back to its original position.
Carbon Fiber Wall Repair
If your home is beginning to buckle, specialized wall reinforcing systems can prevent serious structural instabilities from forming. Carbon fiber is a high-tech woven material that is initially flexible but becomes extremely strong and rigid once infused with
an epoxy resin, and it can hold your walls in place.
How Do We Inspect A Foundation?
Our master certified inspector conducts their inspection in three stages, including:
Pre-Inspection Conversation
Our home inspector will talk to you, the homeowner, and ask questions about specific elements of the home's structural integrity, such as uneven floors, stuck windows or doors (signs of shifting foundation walls), and noticeable cracks. These questions help our inspector know where to look first.
Visual Inspection
Not only will our inspector look at the exterior and interior of the home (e.g., load-bearing walls), but they will also pay attention to the surrounding property. For example, the foundation might be in jeopardy if there are any cracks or signs of drainage issues in the lawn. During this stage, the inspector will also look for signs of previous repairs since they could indicate past foundational problems.
Post-Inspection Foundation Report
Our licensed inspector will draft a comprehensive report that discusses any current or potential structural damage. These reports are highly detailed and may include photos of specific damage points. They also include recommendations on fixing the foundation, including crack repairs or leveling your foundation.
Noticing Cracks in a Commercial Foundation?
Professional services at PineBreeze Inspections also include commercial and industrial project teams. For projects large, small or in between, our master inspector has the knowledge, skills and experience to resolve just about any type of foundation issue for any commercial, industrial, or municipal building, such as:
- Airports.
- Churches.
- Commercial buildings.
- Hospitals.
- Industrial plants.
- Multi-family structures.
- Restaurants.
- Schools.
- Shopping centers.
- Universities.
When buying a new home, is it important to have the foundation inspected?
This is a question that keeps coming up. The straightforward answer is YES! – A foundation check should be performed before purchasing a home. Before completing insurance, many homeowners may engage the services of a home inspector to look for all defects or potential concerns in a home.
On many occasions, a house inspector overlooks a range of issues with a property, such as drainage, wood rot, electricity, and so on. When these items are brought up, they recommend that a professional investigate the problem.
Here’s where PineBreeze Inspections comes into play. When a house inspector flags out possible foundation issues, the potential buyer must immediately contact a foundation repair company.
Buyers can avoid unexpected and potentially costly repairs by taking this extra step. Foundation issues can significantly impact a home's value and safety, so it is crucial to address them before finalizing the purchase.
PineBreeze Inspections offers a specialized and detailed assessment of the foundation, ensuring any hidden problems are brought to light. This provides peace of mind and strengthens the buyer's negotiating position. Whether it's a minor crack or a more severe structural issue, having a foundation expert's opinion can make all the difference in making an informed decision.
When It Comes to Buying or Selling a Home: One Quick Tip
When purchasing a new property, a foundation investigation is a necessity. However, if you plan to sell your home, you should also consider getting one. A study indicating that your home has no foundation problems can be a big attraction to potential buyers. And if difficulties arise, you’ll already be informed on how to address them.
If you’re unsure if you need a foundation check, you should know the warning signs of foundation damage. Sticking doors, broken tiling, displaced trims, and other typical indicators prove that an examination is required. If you’re ready to start, fill out our contact form to speak with one of our foundation repair specialists today. We are prepared to assist you with complete transparency and a trusted voice in dealing with your foundation challenges.
Have a Professional Inspect Your Foundation Today
When purchasing a new property, a foundation investigation is a necessity. However, if you plan to sell your home, you should also consider getting one. A study indicating that your home has no foundation problems can be a big attraction to potential buyers. And if difficulties arise, you’ll already be informed on how to address them.
If you’re unsure if you need a foundation check, you should know the warning signs of foundation damage. Sticking doors, broken tiling, displaced trims, and other typical indicators prove that an examination is required. If you’re ready to start, fill out our contact form to speak with one of our foundation repair specialists today. We are prepared to assist you with complete transparency and a trusted voice in dealing with your foundation challenges.