[tongwang]

I made an offer on a home and the home inspector said that there is a slight foundation settling.

The home inspector's finding:

"Type of foundation: slab on grade - refers to a concrete slab poured on a prepared gravel or sand base at grade level

There appears to have been a slight settling of the foundation. Some doorways are slightly out of square. The slab on the first floor is slightly out of level and the floor of the front room on the second floor has a noticeable bump in the middle. The garage slab is also crowned in the center. Recommend further evaluation by a geotechnical engineer or other qualified professional. "

What may have caused the foundation settling and how to fix it? If we don't fix it or it can't be fixed, will it get worse? House is near LA. Is it common for houses in CA to have some sort of foundation settling? Should I skip this house?

Thanks.
Tong

[ballengerb1]

I'd pass on it. It will get worse and it is very expensive to fix. The home was not properly built for this area. LA may have more quakes than where I live but caused by a quake or bad slab prep makes no difference.

[glocktown]

http://www.americandreamhominspection.net Need more facts is the house on a hillside? What is the year of construction? Are there other large cracks throughout the interior and exterior of home? Do other homes in your tract have similar defects?

Just like Doctors... Engineers and Inspectors can give you different opinions, however these questions are just a start. Even if structural repairs are ccompleted, if the soil is not stable or compacted properly cracks can reappear. All concrete cracks over time and has a lifespan like everything.