Have you ever wondered how the cracks in your foundation impact the value of your home? Whether you are currently trying to sell or plan to in the future this is definitely something you want to pay attention to. In this article we will cover the types of foundation cracks you want to look out for and how they impact your home value.
The Types Of Cracks That Impact Home Value
Not all cracks will impact your home in the same way, it is important to understand what the different types of foundation cracks mean. Diagonal or horizontal cracks may signal underlying structural issues that will necessitate eventual repairs, diminishing the property’s value.
Beyond structural considerations, such cracks frequently give rise to additional issues that contribute to a decrease in property value. For instance, these cracks can expose homes to the risk of water infiltration, leading to the deterioration of wooden frames and drywall. The ensuing moisture can also foster the growth of mold.
How Foundation Cracks Affect Your Home Value
There are two ways that cracks in your foundation will impact home value:
- Structural Integrity
- Cosmetic Appeal
Structural Integrity
People typically buy homes for one of two purposes: to live in or to rent/sell. Regardless of the reason, the structural integrity of a home is crucial, significantly impacting its overall value. As a homeowner, investing in foundation repair becomes essential not only to avoid the constant concern of potential foundation failure but also for maintaining its market value.
Unfortunately, a significant number of individuals do not thoroughly inspect their home foundations and many signs of foundation issues are not directly visible on the foundation itself.
Foundation failure, triggered by expansive soil, is primarily caused by two things:
- Foundation Settlement
- Foundation Heave
Foundation settlement causes a home to sink, while foundation heave elevates the home, applying excessive pressure. Despite how strong concrete is, it’s lacks the elastic properties to handle such up and down movement.
Foundation settlement and heave act like a pervasive force, originating at the core and affecting the entire structure. This pressure ascends through the foundation, impacting the home’s structural elements and eventually manifesting in noticeable signs and symptoms such as:
- Sloping floors (a primary indicator of foundation issues)
- Cracks extending through drywall, stucco, tile, or cement slabs
- Difficulties with doors and windows (e.g., sticking, misalignment)
- Leaning kitchen cabinets
While some of these signs may seem purely cosmetic, it is crucial to recognize that damage caused by foundation settlement is not merely aesthetic. If you notice any of these signs in your Long Island home, call Foundation Crack Repair at 631-410-3388 as soon as possible
Cosmetic Value
It’s no secret that a home remodel is a great way to increase the value of your home. Many times people who are facing the cosmetic signs of a failed foundation think it’s smart to simply remodel around those flaws. They may try to fix the leaning kitchen cabinets or sloping floors without addressing the structural issue with the foundation.
Here’s the bad news, any remodeling project done on top of a failed foundation is a waste of time.
All the cosmetic flaws you tried to fix will come back aggressively causing you to be caught in a cycle of repairs ultimately not increasing the value of your home the way you intended to.
Our advise is to check the foundation first and make sure any structural damage is addressed before going all in on remodeling. This way when you upgrade your bathroom or kitchen it wont be on top of a weak foundation ensuring you get the best home value possible.
Conclusion
Foundation cracks do play a role in home value however it isn’t as direct as you might think. Simply fixing your foundation won’t increase your value on it’s own but it keeps you from losing value due to structural and cosmetic reasons. When you fix your foundation it opens up the opportunity to increase your home value through other upgrades and makes your home easier to sell.
If you want to speak to an expert regarding the foundation cracks in your home then call Foundation Crack Repair at 631-410-3388.
