Whenever you are building a house, the process of watching it come together is an exciting one. The anticipation of moving into a brand new house and setting down some roots as a family is the best. Many people that purchase a home that has just been built sometimes have other struggles that those buying a house that was built 50 years ago have. One of the biggest things that you need to be aware of when purchasing new construction is settling. JMark Inspections is here to talk about settling, and how long it can take a home to stop settling as well as how to tell when the problem is larger than simply a little settling.
How Long Does it Take for a House to Settle?
The term foundation settling is referring to the natural movement of the earth beneath your foundation. As this ground moves and shifts, it can cause changes to the foundation of your home. It is completely normal to see some settling in the first few years after the house has been built as long as the entire house settles together.
Weather Affects a Home Settling
As a house is being built, the soil it is built on is usually prepared. This is done by compacting it down over and over again in preparation for the pouring of the foundation. If this is done during a time when the area is experiencing a drought, you may see more settling than normal once the house comes out of that drought. If the foundation was built right after a rainy season, there may be more expansion as the clay soils dries out.
Signs You Are Dealing with More than Simple Settling
If you have a home that is experiencing more than a little settling, there are several signs that was indicate an issue.
– Water in the Basement: After you get a good rainstorm only to find that there is water in the basement, it can be a sign that there is a problem with your foundation somewhere.
– Wall Cracks: Keep an eye on any cracks that form in the walls of your home. If they get wider, they can let pests into your home.
– Doors that Stick: If your doors start to stick more and more, you could be dealing with foundation issues.
– Slanted Floors: If you feel as if you are walking on an angle when you walk into your home, you definitely have a foundation problem on your hands.
– Pipes Burst: If your foundation settles too much, it can crush and burst the main water lines into your home.
Home & Commercial Property Inspections in Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Conroe, Friendswood & Greater Houston, Texas
If you are getting ready to purchase a home, you want to know the foundation is sound. At JMark Inspections we can thoroughly inspect the home you are about to buy and make sure that there aren’t any problems with the foundation. Call us today!
