As a home inspector one of the biggest issues I see that worries potential buyers the most is foundation problems. This is with good reason as foundation problems can be expensive to repair. Basement foundation cracks are commonly found during a home inspection. Basement foundation cracks are not always a significant problem and are often the result of many possible conditions.

Basement foundation walls are made up of many different materials such as stone, brick, masonry blocks, and poured concrete. This post focused on cracks in masonry block and poured concrete foundations. Vertical cracks, diagonal cracks, horizontal cracks, and stair step cracks are often seen during a home inspection and each has a different cause and effect.

Vertical cracks that go straight up and down or within 30 degrees of vertical are very common. They are the least severe, which are often caused by a home or building settling. It is common for even new houses to have some vertical cracks. Settling is common in homes and is usually not a problem if the settling is minor and does not cause any displacement of the foundation. Settling often occurs in the few first years after a home is built. Hairline cracks  are not considered a problem. The cracks can be sealed using proper materials to prevent moisture intrusion. Vertical cracks that are wide or have displacement are considered more severe and may need further evaluation.

Diagonal cracks run at a 30-70 degree angle that will usually be wider at one end then the other and are often hairline sized. They are often caused by differential settling due to expansion and/or contraction of the soil. This type of issue can often be caused by too much water being deposited near the home and a lack of proper gutters and downspouts to move water away from the home. Water can cause soil at the foundation to shift resulting in the foundation cracking.

Horizontal cracks run sideways and are the most serious cracks in a foundation and can signal serious problems to a homes structural integrity. They are most common in homes with masonry block foundation. Horizontal cracks are the result of soil pressure outside your foundation, and hydrostatic pressure that can cause basement foundation walls to bow. These types of cracks and foundation problems should be repaired or evaluated by a foundation contractor. 

Foundation problems are often the result of poor water management at the exterior of the home. Keeping water away from the homes foundation is critical to preventing foundation problems. Often solving these problems can have a positive effect on foundation problems by preventing further damage or problems.

Dairyland Home Inspection inspects Racine, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Waukesha, Walworth, and Ozaukee Counties. We provide free radon testing on every home inspection. 

As a home inspector I often see home problems that can be very dangerous and should require immediate correction. Some of these dangerous problems are relatively simple fixes but failure to address them could be very dangerous for children.

One common issue I often see is water that is way too hot at the faucets. Water that is 140 degrees or hotter at the faucet can cause burns to small children in just a few seconds. Children who turn on the water may not realize how hot it is until they stick their hand under the faucet. This is a simple fix of turning down the temperature on your water heater. It not only prevents possible injury but saves money. When your water heater water temperature is cranked up too hot the water heater needs to use more energy to keep the temperature at a high level. Turning it down to about 120 degrees saves energy and possible injury. It's still plenty hot for showers or any other needs.

Stairs are a dangerous area for kids. Even kids that can go up and down stairs often get injure when there is not a continuous handrail from the top of the stairs to the bottom of the stairs. They need to be able to hold onto something going up and down. Doors that open over stairs are also dangerous. Having to try and open a closed door and pull it open over the stairs is unsafe. What if someone is on the stairs and someone swings the door when they are coming up the stairs and they get knocked backwards and tumble down the stairs? Stairs are dangerous for older adults and the elderly as well. It's one of the areas in a home where many serious injuries occur. 

Electrical outlets/receptacles should have a cover plate over them. Whether they are in a garage or basement or anywhere in a home the wires in an electrical outlet are live and should be protected. A child that sticks a toy or finger inside on outlet without a cover protecting the live wires could result in serious injury or worse. Placing a cover is relatively simple to do. 

Deck guard and stair balusters should be 4 inches or less apart to ensure a child cannot stick their head in between the guards or balusters and be injured. Often these are found to be too wide and don't provide the needed protection for children.

The above examples are just a few of the more common issues we find during a home inspection.  Problems that may cause injury are just some of the areas we inspect during a home inspection. We serve Racine, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Walworth Counties. 

Dairyland Home Inspection provides home inspection services in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you are looking for an experienced and professional home inspector in the Milwaukee area we are here to help. We inspect from the foundation to the roof and everywhere in between. Our goal is to provide you with the most information possible about the home you're purchasing. We use the best tools and technology on every inspection. We strive to find expensive home problems to save you money so you don't have any surprises.

We perform free radon testing and mold testing as additional services. We are nationally certified in radon testing and are one of the few home inspections companies in Wisconsin that is certified in radon testing. We use thermal imaging on every home inspection which helps us find hidden problems behind walls and ceilings like water leaks, pests in walls, and energy efficiency problems. 

Milwaukee is the biggest city in Wisconsin and has many diverse and interesting homes. We inspect every neighborhood in Milwaukee and any type of home whether is be a single family, multi family or condo. We have easy online flexible scheduling. 

If you are buying a home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin or any area in southeastern Wisconsin we serve please give us a call or check out our website and see how we can help you and provide you professional home inspection services. 

If you are looking for a home inspection in Kenosha, Wisconsin we are here to help you. At Dairyland Home Inspection we do home inspections, radon testing, and mold testing in Kenosha, Wisconsin. We have helped numerous home buyers in the Kenosha area purchase a home by providing home inspection services. We have saved our clients thousands of dollars by finding problems with their home prior to closing. In addition to home inspections we provide radon testing. Radon levels in southeaster Wisconsin are relatively high with a large number of homes above the EPA recommended limit of 4.0pCi/L. 

We perform buyer home inspections for people buying a home. Getting a home inspection is critical because what you don't know can cost you a lot of money. We help home buyers find expensive and sometimes dangerous home problems before they close. This gives you the opportunity to negotiate for repairs or the cost of repairs. This prevents you from moving into your new home and getting stuck with expensive repairs or problems you didn't know existed. We offer competitive pricing and exceptional customer service. Call us or check out or website and let us know how we can help you. 

Kenosha is a city located on Lake Michigan in southeast Wisconsin. It was founded in 1835 even before Wisconsin became a state. As one of the oldest cities in Wisconsin it has a rich history and diverse past. Kenosha is the 4th largest city in Wisconsin with a population of about 100,000 people. It's located between Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin which gives it an ideal location for business and development. Many new businesses and developments are happening in Kenosha which is boosting the local economy.

With increased jobs and growth it means more housing and a vibrant real estate market and the need for more home inspections to ensure buyers interests ate protected.  Home prices have risen steadily over the last few years in the Kenosha area and that trend seems as it will continue in the near future.

Cities like Pleasant Prairie, Salem, and Twin Lakes are also seeing increased growth and development. We are happy to serve those who live in Kenosha and those who are moving to Kenosha by providing professional and thorough home inspection services.