Empower Your Decisions With Facts
Quality Foundation Inspections Like No Other
KPF Home Inspections offers Foundation Inspections that go beyond the requirements established by TREC guidelines, and provides a report the other home inspectors just don't have. While it does NOT replace the in-depth evaluation and testing that a structural engineer would perform, it does provide you an economic alternative that determines if problems are severe enough to warrant hiring one.
Unlike foundation repair companies, KPF Home Inspections is unbiased, having no product to sell. I will thoroughly explain my observations and conclusions. If your foundation is compromised, I will recommend an evaluation by a structural engineer.
KPF Home Inspections offers an affordable home foundation inspection without compromising on quality. Contact us today to get a quote and find out how we can help you with your home inspection needs.
Please scroll on down the page and see how KPF Home Inspections provides more.
Note large crack in foundation slab and crack in brick wall under a window. Even bricks were broken.
The foundation Inspection
Lot Drainage
Lot Drainage
Lot Drainage
Drainage is evaluated, as excess moisture is the enemy to any and all foundations. I assess how water is moving on to and off of the lot, and the flow path its takes in the journey. If there are threats to the foundation (such as flat, pooling areas or downspouts discharging too close to the foundation), these will be highlighted in the report. If changes to drainage are warranted, I will provide recommendations for the homeowner.
Exterior
Lot Drainage
Lot Drainage
With slab foundations, the exposed foundation outside of the house is visually inspected looking for evidence of cracking and settlement. If it is a pier and beam foundation, I will enter the crawl space and perform a structural inspection looking for settled piers or failing beams. Next, the exterior walls and window frames are inspected for cracks in bricks and mortar (as above) or separation/shifting in siding.
Interior
Structural Inspection
Structural Inspection
The next step occurs indoors where windows and doors are thoroughly inspected for “squareness” and function. Sticking windows, doors that don't latch and drifting doors often indicate settling or shifts in the foundation.
Windows sashes (as above), walls and door jams are inspected for cracks and separation. Floors and ceilings are also inspected for signs of cracking or settling.
Structural Inspection
Structural Inspection
Structural Inspection
The final step is to enter the attic and perform a structural inspection examining the condition of the structural components (i.e. joists, rafters and ridge boards). Separation of these components are strong indicators of foundation movement.
why our inspection is better
Precise Measurements / Great Reports
The client will not only receive the required TREC Form REI 7-6 report with my observations from the structural inspection and foundation inspection, including an opinion of the foundation’s performance, but also CAD drawings of the foundation indicating elevation heights from an established base point. This document will serve as a baseline for future measurements should another evaluation be warranted.
While inspecting the exterior, I measure the exterior walls to allow for creating the outline of the foundation level floor. I then measure the main rooms to approximate the interior floor plan. Next, I establish the base point for measurement of elevation changes and perform the survey procedure.
Finally, I return to my office to prepare the TREC report and my foundation measurement report with the results.
A high tech instrument, the ZipLevel is used to measure elevation differences in the floor.
the report on your foundation
First Level Floor Plan
ZipLevel 2000 Measurements
ZipLevel 2000 Measurements
A CAD drawing of the first level floor plan is created on-site and measurement points are determined.
ZipLevel 2000 Measurements
ZipLevel 2000 Measurements
ZipLevel 2000 Measurements
ZipLevel values after correction for floor covering thicknesses.
Topograph of Slab Surface
ZipLevel 2000 Measurements
Topograph of Slab Surface
The topograph of the slab displays the high and low areas of the slab foundation (as in this case), or on a pier and beam foundation.