As experienced home inspectors serving West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, and Fort Lauderdale, our team at Mindful Home Inspections knows that a thorough, professional home inspection can make or break a real estate transaction. While there are many potential issues we look for during an inspection, one red flag stands out above the rest – signs of major structural damage or foundation problems.
A compromised foundation is perhaps the most serious and concerning problem a home can have. Foundation cracks, settling, bowing walls, and other structural issues can indicate major underlying problems that will be extremely costly to repair. In the worst cases, these problems can even make a home unsafe to live in.
Some common signs of foundation troubles include:
- Visible cracks in the foundation, exterior walls, or interior drywall
- Doors and windows that are out of square or don’t open/close properly
- Sloping or uneven floors
- Exterior brick or siding pulling away from the home
If our inspectors identify any of these red flags, we always recommend a more comprehensive evaluation by a structural engineer before proceeding with the real estate transaction. Fixing major foundation issues can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars – something most home buyers are not prepared to take on.
While other problems like outdated electrical panels, aging roofs, or faulty plumbing can also be dealbreakers, structural damage is by far the biggest warning sign we look for during a home inspection. Protecting our clients from buying a home with catastrophic foundation problems is our top priority.
If you’re buying a home in West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, or Fort Lauderdale, be sure to choose an experienced, thorough home inspector like Mindful Home Inspections to ensure you don’t end up with hidden, expensive structural issues. Reach out to schedule your inspection today!
