Home foundation repair is never fun, and it’s rarely cheap. Because of this, it’s important to know that your home needs one before you hire a home foundation repair contractor. To do this, it’s standard to have a professional inspect your home foundation for damage. They will give you an expert’s opinion on what’s needed for your home.

Atlas Piers has inspected countless homes in the past, so we know when a homeowner needs to hire a contractor for home foundation repairs. If you’ve got a home foundation inspection approaching, make sure you prepare for it with these tips:

Look for signs of damage

First things first, you’ll want to check your foundation to see what’s visibly wrong with it. The more knowledgeable you are about your own home and its flaws, the easier it will be for you to help your contractor fix the issues when they get to your home. Observing your home and its damages will give you an idea of what areas need the most attention, and what the root of the problem could be.

Common signs of foundation damage include:

• Water damage
• Leaning/buckling walls
• Windows/walls not closing properly
• Crumbling/chipping concrete
• Cracks, fissures, and ruptures

Document any damage you’ve observed

It can be hard to remember where all of the issues you’ve noticed in your home are, which is why you’ll want to make a list of all of the damages for reference later. This will be vital information for your foundation repair contractor, so make sure you jot down as many details as possible before they arrive. Cracks in your home’s foundation are typically normal signs of settlement, but if the cracks have worsened over time, they should be mentioned to your foundation specialist.

Confirm the time with your contractor

Always follow up with your home foundation contractor the day before the inspection, so all parties are on the same page. While they will already have your inspection logged and ready, you’ll still want to confirm with them to make sure everything is still going according to schedule. Mistakes can always happen, and you won’t want to be frustrated by a missed appointment that could’ve been avoided.

Be present for the inspection

Whenever there’s an issue with your home, you want to be there to find out what’s wrong with it and how it can be repaired. Home foundation repairs can be expensive, so you’ll want to know exactly what you’re paying for, and why you’re paying. You won’t want to leave that responsibility in the hands of anyone who isn’t the homeowner, so it’s pertinent that you’re the one there to represent your property when a repairman arrives. A typical home foundation inspection takes 1-2 hours, so be sure that you’ve cleared your schedule long enough to be there for the entirety of the inspection.

Prepare any questions you have

Make sure that you’re mentally ready for the inspection by preparing any questions you have about your home and its foundation. As a homeowner, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll know anything about how homes are built and why they settle the ways they do. Bring any questions that you have with you to the inspection, so that there’s no confusion and you can leave the appointment confident about the status of your home.

Schedule a Home Foundation Inspection Today

If you’ve been noticing any issues with your home’s foundation, or seen any of the signs of foundational damage listed above, contact us today to schedule a home foundation inspection. Atlas Piers has helped thousands of homeowners repair their home foundation and maintain the value of their property.