buying a house but found a foundation issue

looking at buying this house but i found what might be a foundation issue and just wanted see if any one had any thoughts..

Have an independent building appraisal done along with an inspection. Something that obvious should be addressed by all parties prior to the sale.

What rotorhead said, only a home inspector probably will just tell you to get an engineer to look at it.
How old?
Does it have a basement/crawl space? How're the cracks in the actual foundation?
If financing your lender will most likely want it looked at by a structural engineer. They did with ours, the house is 50, the cracks in the block basement walls are hairline, but plainly bowed in slightly, the structural engineer was like "seriously, they needed this looked at? you might have an issue in another 50 years" the places the brick walls had cracked looked worse because the mortar had crumbled and fallen out. If you're seriously interested though have it checked, lender requirement or not.

Does that drain have some way to run water off away from the foundation? It probably does not or has not in the past, and water soaked the dirt around the foundation allowing it to settle some.

Not an engineer, but Ive watched this old house enough to play one on the interwebs.

Definitely get it checked though..might not be too bad.

Looks like any house built on Stanly County bull tallow soil.

I would have it checked by a licensed structural engineer who does home foundations. A foundation problem has potential to be a huge problem. I don’t like how the crack goes through the bricks.

Looks like step cracking in masonry from settlement. Check to see if the soil around this corner of the home is firm, or soft/wet. Often in older home the settlement is old and its done all that it will do. But its certainly a concern that needs to be checked out.

There is no cheap answer to a solid yes or no. It takes quite a bit of investigation effort by people who’re specialized in that sort of thing. It’s cwrtainly not a $300 home inspection.

If that is the only spot with a crack—none on the inside drywall, no floor issues, no windows or doors in that area that don’t fit their frames—then odds are it’s just a small settlement crack and nothing else.

caulk!

I sold a house in 1997 that was built in 1978 by the builder who lived in it for some years, so he didn't scrimp. I had to spend about $9,000 to ram-jack up one corner. The house had stood for all that time with no issues, and would still be ok today. But they will make a seller do the repairs. If your seller won't do it, then take an engineer's assessment and see if you want to repair it, or live with it.

feesix said:

looking at buying this house but i found what might be a foundation issue and just wanted see if any one had any thoughts..

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Definitely get a licensed professional engineer (PE).

Hard to diagnose over the internet, but as a general rule, cracks that large (width) which go through the bricks (instead of along the joints) can be serious depending upon the cause(s).

Out of curiosity, are you still considering an offer or have you done so and in the midst of the Due Diligence phase (if in NC)? I ask because if beforehand, I would ask the Seller to have a PE investigate/report at their expense; if after (an Offer) and in Due Diligence then such an inspection would be at Buyer's expense - though you might recoup as part of the DD negotiation. Certainly have it done.

we have not made an offer, the house was made in the early 80s and the current owner said it was there when he bought the house in 96. he did tell my wife that he would occasionally dig under the brick and put brick chips under that part of the foundation-- whatever that means??

feesix said:

he did tell my wife that he would occasionally dig under the brick and put brick chips under that part of the foundation

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That's a strange comment and it may indicate he knows more than he's letting on.

Taken at face value: it's no beuno to dig under a foundation. You shouldn't be able to do that easily.

Taken at suspicious value: it means he's worried about it as much as you are, and he's trying to smoke screen your worry with some fancy talk to your wife.

I'd pass unless you HAVE to HAVE this house.

feesix said:

we have not made an offer, the house was made in the early 80s and the current owner said it was there when he bought the house in 96. he did tell my wife that he would occasionally dig under the brick and put brick chips under that part of the foundation-- whatever that means??

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I was going to say no biggie IMO until I read this... That's sketch. The brick veneer should be sitting on the footer. He shouldn't be able to get "under" it...

Nope and hell nope.

I've had a few neighbors have to write checks for foundation repair this year. No way I'd buy that house before having it looked at by someone I trust. And I'd want the seller to foot the bill. Plenty of houses out there. Move along if all is not to your satisfaction.

Bubble gum and duct tape man

On a serious note move on.