Inspecting a foundation is often as uncomfortable as it is essential when buying a property.
An inspection of the foundations is warranted in the long run to ensure the proper maintenance of the building over time.
It is essential in case of land movement (or not) following floods, earthquake, or finding that the houses no longer close properly or that one must
VOPAA is by no means a Foundation Inspector,but the company has expertise and experience in implementing repairs suggested by inspection reports.
VOPAA foundation expert
- Is a member of APCHQ;
- Has 20 years of experience
- Is an expert in repairing foundations of any kind
- To manage more than 150 construction sites across Quebec
VOPAA DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT A FOUNDATION INSPECTION REPORT
The expertise of the foundation inspector
The foundation inspector looks for the crack, the water infiltration that could be fatal to the proper holding of the building. The role and accuracy of this specialist inspector’s report is therefore essential.
The inspector knows how to analyze the origin of the cracks and provides the best advice on the implementation of repairs
Detect cracked foundations
we often refer to cracks on the walls that are clearly visible!
Yet the foundations of a building are not immune to this type of damage! They are more difficult to detect and interpret because, unlike cracks that appear clearly on the walls or on the façade of a house, these weaknesses of stone or concrete are not visible on a daily basis.
Expert, engineering inspectors who does what?
Identifying cracks on a foundation requires the intervention of a construction expert.
Three types of specialists have the skills to judge the state of a foundation:
The building inspector:
This specialist regularly intervenes during the process of buying a property. Its opinion is highly recommended when the foundations show serious signs of weakness.
He is trained in building inspection at a recognized institution and ideally he is also a member of the Association of Building Inspectors of Quebec
(AIBQ
)
Often hired to inspect homes and condos when buying/selling, he is an excellent generalist who brings a professional look that will alert to the evils and aging of the building. His opinion will be recorded in a detailed report.
In the event of serious findings on the foundations, the opinion of a “structural engineer” will be welcome
The structural engineer:
The structural engineer is very present on new construction sites when the foundations show the most serious signs of damage and ruptures.
He is highly qualified, his reports will be followed by the contractor who will carry out the necessary and recommended work.
The building contractor who specializes in foundations
This building contractor is the executor of the recommended work, if his experience is a real expertise, he is not authorized to produce inspection reports, his opinion is on the other hand, often valuable within a construction team.
VOPAA Inc.
1812 Route 309 Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, J0X 2L0 Quebec
Foundation inspection: Why?
1: monitor and maintain your building:
is the base of a building, so its condition has a direct impact on the entire structure of the building.
The main causes of cracks in the foundations are:
- Poor quality concrete or inadequate materials
- Procedures for pouring and drying concrete not respected: too much water added to the concrete, poor water temperature, too fast concrete intake (concrete reaches its strength only from 28 days)
- Inadequate vibration of concrete
- Premature removal of formwork
- Study of the nature of unrealized soil or erroneous result
- Construction of a nearby building that moved the land
- Unusual climatic phenomena: flooding, subsidence of the land, earthquake…
Some micro-cracks that usually come from drying concrete are not always dangerous to the building. However, expert advice is recommended to determine if other larger cracks do not affect the structure of the building.
Cracked foundations can cause great damage in a building:
- Water Infiltration,
- Rising moisture in the walls,
- Mold
- Destabilization of the building… up to the roof
2: Cracked foundation in case of sale of a house?
During the process of selling/buying a home, the owner makes a “seller’s statement.” Not probity report the known condition of the house (Dol ) is an act punishable by prosecution when he knows that there are cracks in the foundations, it is a serious act.
If the sale is deemed to have a hidden defect, the owner may see the price of his house renegotiated downwards or even the sale cancelled. Prosecutions in certain serious situations can result in compensation payments.
In conclusion
There are many direct or indirect causes of cracking in the foundations. Requesting an inspection of foundations by a professional is essential in the sale of condos or single-family homes.