Is Your House Sinking or Settling? (How to Tell the Difference)
If you’ve noticed that your house seems like it’s shifting and isn’t in the same place you left it, it could be due to one of tw o things – sinking or settling. While both are related to each other, they have different causes and require different solutions to fix them. Learn about the differences between sinking and settling, including how to identify which one your home is experiencing, so you can get it fixed fast!
Sinking vs Settling
Have you ever wondered whether your house is sinking or settling? This can be a confusing question because there are often similarities between these two things. A home that is sinking will go down in one area, but if it’s settling, most of it will likely have some type of settlement on at least one side. There are also different types of settlements and, although they can appear similar at first glance, they occur for different reasons and respond differently to house foundation repairs.
Your foundation is something that you want to take care of because it’s critical for supporting your home and keeping it standing. There are a lot of things that can cause problems with your foundation, so it’s essential that you know what those problems are so you can prevent them from happening in the future.
With sinking, you’ll notice that one side of your home is slowly going down. This can be caused by a variety of things. Settling occurs when different parts of your home are dropping at different rates. This can happen for a variety of reasons and it’s important that you get it fixed as soon as possible because both sinking and settling can cause damage in other areas.
This article was completed by our team of experts who can provide you with a foundation inspection in Columbia MO when you need it!
Can You Fix Either Problem?
Depending on what’s causing your house to sink or settle, you’ll want to call in a professional. For example, if your slab foundation is sinking and you notice cracks in nearby walls and/or floors, then there’s likely termite damage which means a professional will need to be called in. Home foundations are critical to the safety and integrity of your home. A few youtube videos won’t give you the experience needed to make these house foundation repairs. Because of how important your foundation is, it’s best to call in the professionals to assess and repair any foundation issues.
What to Do Before Buying a Home in an Older Neighborhood
While it may be tempting to buy a fixer-upper and make some money, there are many things you must do before buying in an older neighborhood. If not, your house could start sinking into a sinkhole. Here’s what you need to know about identifying if your home is sinking or settling.
The problem with most fixes for settling is that they don’t address underlying causes of settling, which means that problems will continue to crop up until those causes are addressed. Unfortunately, many people think they have solved their problem when all they have done is treat symptoms of the real issue—and even then only temporarily. Before buying an older home, make sure you get a professional to come out and assess the situation. They can tell you if your house is sinking or settling and if there are any long-term issues that need to be addressed before making an offer on a property. It may cost some money upfront, but it could save you from having to buy another house in just a few years down the road.
How to Check for Structural Problems Before Buying a Home
You’ve finally found your dream home, but before you can write an offer and move in, you need to do a bit of research. While most buyers think they’re simply researching market value, they should also be looking for structural problems with their new abode. Otherwise, that dream house could become a nightmare pretty quickly.
A structural inspection is similar to a home inspection, and can reveal hidden issues with your potential home that you may not notice on your own. Just like with a home inspection, you should always have an inspector come in and check for any leaks, settling, or other issues in your foundation. This will ensure that you won’t end up footing exorbitant home foundation repair bills once you move in—or worse, living under constant stress due to faulty construction.
What To Do Next for House Foundation Repair?
If you’re house shopping and find any foundation issues, you should factor that repair expense into your offer. If issues are occurring in your current home, it’s important to get them addressed asap. Most homeowners will pay around $4,743 to repair foundation issues. That’s a good chunk of money, but not nearly the amount it would cost if you let sinking and settling continue. Besides the expense, it also poses a major safety threat for anyone living in that home. The structural integrity of your home is essential for its safety and longevity. It’s best to address these problems early before they escalate out of control.