The old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” After all. you don’t wait until your home is infested with termites before having it treated. You don’t wait for a fire before installing a smoke alarm. But, there are some areas of life where that ounce of prevention isn’t necessary, or even feasible. However, it can be difficult to know where the line lies. One of the questions that we’ve been asked by homeowners, especially new homeowners is, “How often should I have a foundation inspection?” While there are estimates you can follow for a foundation inspection in Baton Rouge, there is no specific schedule for regular inspections. Although, there are things to look out for to know when it’s time to call WCK Foundation Repair!
Your Home Will Give You Signs
If you’ve never had foundation work done before, your house will tell you something is amiss. If your doors aren’t closing properly, you’re seeing new cracks in your walls or ceiling, you see cracks in a concrete floor, or you notice a few other visible symptoms, it is time to call someone immediately. There are also indirect signs that problems may be on the way. The biggest of these is poor drainage. If water regularly pools in your yard, this could lead to problems in the future if it’s close to your foundation. If you see this, you will want to address the drainage issue before calling for foundation repair work. However, if there are no visible symptoms, you can rely on the trained eye of an inspector to ensure your home is safe from foundational problems.
On average, having your foundation inspected twice a year after major seasonal changes is a fantastic rule of thumb. Weather and temperature changes can lead to shifting soil which can also affect your foundation. If you have had foundation work done in the past, you may not need regular inspections for a while. It’s important to note that there will be minor natural movement after having work done, but this should not alarm you. However, if you feel the movement is more than minor, feel free to give us a call. That is what your warranty is for. However, if you have had work done and have drainage problems, the drainage will need to be addressed before any further warranty work can be done.
New Homeowner Inspections
If you are looking to buy a home and are wondering if you should call a foundation repair company for an inspection, we recommend that you trust your home inspector in the purchasing process. While damage or issues may not be apparent to the naked eye, these can lead to dangerous and expensive issues in the future. If there is damage that warrants foundation repair, your home inspector will alert you to it immediately. At that point, we can assess the extent of what is needed to repair it before you move forward in buying the home. Whether you are buying your home or selling it, a professional evaluation can help to make the buying and selling process easier.
Schedule a Foundation Inspection in Baton Rouge Today
It is natural to want to be proactive about your home as opposed to reactive once something goes wrong. But in the case of foundation repair, it can be hard to determine the right time for action. Let our professional inspectors take care of the process for you! And, we offer a free comprehensive estimate to help you know what to expect out of the cost of your repairs. Call or text us at 225-664-5956, or send us a message online with any questions. We look forward to helping you protect your home with a thorough foundation inspection in Baton Rouge.