If you’re in the market for an older home, take note of the condition of the floors. Creaky floor boards are nothing to worry about, but sagging and sloping may be cause for concern. If you notice red flags, call Magnolia Home Inspection Services to schedule a house elevation plot along with your home inspection.
What Is House Elevation Plotting?
When buying an older home, you can expect the floors to feel slightly sloped. Slight sloping and sagging are a normal part of the aging process of a home. If, however, the floors feel more than just a little off, there could be a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. In this case, a house elevation plot inspection is in order. Our inspectors will measure the slope of the floor to a tenth of an inch to determine if the fall of the floor exceeds the allowed limit.
Causes of Sloped Floors
Old age is the primary cause of sloped floors in older homes. Wooden joists naturally bend over time as a result of long-term load bearing. Typically, this kind of sloping, whether it is caused by bending in the girder or the joists, does not require a repair. Alternatively, sloped floors can be the result of foundation settling or issues with the load bearing wall. In this case, costly repairs may be required to prevent the house from becoming unsafe.
How to Know If There’s a Problem
A house elevation plot will reveal if the sloping and sagging in your floors is significant. Any slope greater than 1 inch per 20 feet should be inspected further to determine the cause. Alternatively, if you’re buying or building a new home, any grade at all is cause for concern. Additionally, large wall cracks, cracks in the foundation, and cracked tile walls or floors indicate a problem.
Request a Quote
For all of your home inspection needs, contact Magnolia at (832) 303-8048 or request a quote online. In addition to house elevation plotting, we also offer a variety of other specialty inspection services, including termite inspections, pool and spa inspections, and well and septic inspections. Our team proudly serves clients in the northwest Houston area, including Montgomery, Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, Cypress, Tomball, and beyond.
