Prime Inspection- 507-721-3145
One side effect aging homes experience is a higher risk of structural problems. The same types of issues can also be the result of sloppy construction.
Regardless of the cause, structural issues can lead to sagging roofs, angled floors, or cracks that leave your home vulnerable to pests and water damage. So when you set out to sell a house, you can bet that your buyer will want to make sure it’s structurally sound before they agree to purchase it.
While serious structural defects are rare, general inspectors frequently refer buyers and sellers to professionals who have the knowledge to conduct specialty inspections when red flags crop up. If there’s a suspected issue with the home’s foundation, frame, or other weight-bearing areas, you may have to get a structural home inspection before closing.
It sounds scary, but you can stay zen throughout the process with this basic run-through of how structural inspections work, a list of pro tips to prepare for one, and your options if you get bad news from the engineer.
During this process, a structural engineer will come to your home to investigate any structural red flags brought up in the inspection and see whether your property needs work on a skeletal or foundational level.
Specifically the engineer will visually review a property’s:
- Foundation
- Basement or crawl space (particularly drainage issues)
- Framing
- Roof
- Interior and exterior walls (including all stucco or concrete)
- Brickwork and masonry (including chimneys)
The goal of this inspection is to make sure that:
- The home was properly designed and built to securely withstand the weight of its anticipated loads.
- The integrity of the structure has been maintained so it will continue to safely perform as intended for the foreseeable future.
Upon completing the inspection, the structural engineer will offer their findings and expert opinion in the form of a post-inspection report.
Prime Inspection- 507-721-3145