When it comes to buying a house there are many things to look out for. Home buyers do not want to see damage to the roof, floors, or any main structures of the home. This is precisely why a home inspection is so important to a buyer. The inspection report gives them a breakdown of what is in good working condition and what might need to be repaired. Keep in mind that buying a home with structural damage could cost a lot of extra money. So, compare the value of the home with your additional expenses. Should I buy a house with sagging floors? It depends on the homebuyer and the type of structural damage that has caused the sagging floors.
Let’s take a look below at what causes sagging floors.
What Causes Sagging Floors?
Believe it or not, there are a variety of reasons why floors can become sagging in a home. Let’s take a look below at what the causes of a sagging floor might be.
- High moisture – The higher the moisture levels the more water can get access to the flooring in your home. Over time the sub-flooring and wooden structures that support your floors can become warped. This makes them less effective at supporting your floors.
- Foundation problems – The type of foundation your home has, can determine if your floors have a potential for sagging. Keep in mind that all foundation issues can cause your floors to sag. Regardless of if they are wood-framed beams or a solid concrete pad, any damage to the foundation can cause a shift in the support of the floors. This would cause an expensive issue. If you still plan to buy the home, you will want to hire a structural engineer. They can ensure the cost of repairs is not too high.
- Ground shifts – When a home is built, the builder will create a pad of dirt to support the foundation of the home. Over time, the ground will shift and cause the foundation to shift. This will cause some structural damage to your floor and create a sagging or bending in the floor.
What Should I Do If I Am Looking To Buy A Home With Sagging Floors?
To ensure that you are making a smart investment, you will want to proceed with the following:
- Hire a local home inspection team – Before you ever consider purchasing a home with structural damage that has caused a floor to sag, call for a home inspection. Additionally, the floors might be uneven or worn underneath them and you would not be able to tell. Hiring a professional home inspection team will be able to identify these issues or concerns.
- Negotiate the repairs – If the home inspection team finds that the floors are uneven or sagging, you should get multiple quotes on repairing the problem. Once you have the repair estimates you can negotiate with the seller to either have them cover the repair costs or lower the asking price of the home purchase.
- Identify the type of foundation – Repair costs of the foundation will vary depending on the type of foundation that is installed. Consequently, pier-and-beam foundations are less expensive to repair as they are wood and easily accessible.
- Additional Issues – Choosing to still purchase a home that has sagging floors requires you to consider all of the reasons why the floor is sagging in the first place. Keep in mind that the cost of repairs will likely include additional repairs beyond just fixing the floor.
- Consult your real estate agent – Your real estate agent should be tuned into the correct market. They can refer you to a professional contractor who is experienced in uneven floor repairs. Also, they can provide you with a reputable home inspector. Additionally, your real estate agent can help you prepare a counteroffer to the home seller if you want to proceed with purchasing the home.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you understand whether or not purchasing a home with sagging floors is a good idea, you can turn your attention to why it is not safe to skip a home inspection. Home inspectors are tasked with finding all of the areas of concern for the home buyer. This protects their investment and allows for a negotiation of repairs.
Next, when it comes to flooring, they can occasionally squeak. This would be a good time to read up on whether or not a squeaky floor is a result of structural damage.
Lastly, your local home inspection team can identify where your furnace filter is and what it looks like when it is dirty. You will want to know this to determine how old the furnace might be and if the maintenance records are well-kept.
When Do I Call A Professional?
Sagging floors are caused by a variety of possibilities. Water damage, foundation damage, ground shifting, or even termite damage can cause your floors to sag. You will want to hire a structural engineer and your local home inspection team. They will determine if purchasing a house that has sagging floors is a good idea. They can inspect the entire structure of the home. Also, they will recommend to you if it is safe to proceed with the purchase.
Conclusion
Looking to purchase a home with sagging floors will require your local home inspection team. They will be able to refer a reputable general contractor. Also, they can give you an estimate on repairs to the sagging floor. Additionally, if the home seller agrees to the floor repairs or reduces the asking price, you can purchase the home. Reach out to ACE Preferred Inspections for a full home inspection in the low country of South Carolina.
