Many home buyers lack professional knowledge and do not know whether cracks in the floor or sunken porches are serious.

So how does the buyer know whether to continue or move to another property? We sought advice from Tim Tracy, a corporate sales trainer at Groundworks, a National Foundation Services company based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He responded via email and edited his reply.

Q: Will foundation issues prevent buyers from buying houses?

Answer: Foundation issues are not necessarily the disruptors of household purchase transactions. If foundation issues are known in advance, buyers can use this knowledge to negotiate better selling prices, which usually brings thousands of credits. However, since we are in an extreme seller's market, buyers have less control over the buying process than in the past few years. To ensure that buyers do not fall into chaos, they should consult with foundation service professionals to assess the foundation condition of the house and allow buyers to better understand their needs before the sale is completed.

Q: What signs of foundation problems should the house inspector or buyer look for?

Answer: To determine the beginning of basic problems before they develop, you need to pay attention to the following eight things:

1. Cracks along the floor or wall, near windows or doors, or in pillars.

2. A worn door stuck to the floor, or the door jams when the door is opened and closed.

3. The caulking between the window and the door or the gap in the weather strip has left an opening for water and/or pests.

4. There are inclined chimneys or ladder cracks at the ash seam of the chimney. Also, look at the junction where the chimney intersects with the wall or roof line to see if it appears to be pulling apart.

5. Sagging or sloping floors and/or curved basement walls. The first sign of a basement wall problem is a horizontal crack.

6. The basement or crawling space is moldy, rotted or moldy, and has a musty smell.

7. A sunken front or back porch or porch. Be sure to check whether the side is separated from the wall.

8. Unexplained water damage occurs everywhere in the home.

Q: How do people know if the signs of a foundation problem are serious?

Answer: If you want to invest large sums of money in your home, a well-trained eye should assess the cracks in the foundation wall. The root cause of the crack needs to be determined. The inspector will look at the size, shape, and location to determine the initial cause.

If you see small shallow cracks that are only 1 mm to 2 mm wide and that don't seem to be related to other problems, you may be looking at shrinkage cracks that do not require professional repair but should be monitored for further movement. These types of cracks usually occur when the concrete loses water during the curing process.

Large cracks may indicate a more serious problem. Foundation service professionals will determine the severity and potential costs.

Q: Should the buyer hire a structural engineer to inspect the house before bidding? When and why?

Answer: Hiring a structural engineer will be an additional investment. If you are worried about the safety of your house, you can. For home buyers, the results of professional basic inspections should be a key part of the buying process. Whether you are planning to sell a home, buy a new home, or plan to live in your home in the next few years, it is important to understand the key ways to detect foundation problems early. In the long run, this will save you a lot of time, money and trouble.

Q: How much does an engineer charge for an inspection?

Answer: The average cost of a professional foundation inspection ranges from US$350 to US$500.

Q: What are the common basic problems and what is needed to fix them?

Answer: Some common foundation problems are cracks and debris, which can cause water to seep into the structure of the house, thereby damaging the frame of the building and increasing the risk of mold. Therefore, it is important to find these problems as early as possible so that the cost of repairs will not be so high. Basic repair costs vary across the United States, and advanced repairs cost more than small repairs. It usually takes one to three days to complete the foundation repair.