Cracks in the drywall, doors that stick, sloping floors — Mark looks at the foundation and framing to help you understand whether it's normal settling or something more.
A structural and foundation inspection is a focused visual evaluation of the components that hold a home up: the foundation walls or slab, piers and footings where visible, floor framing, walls, beams, posts and roof framing.
Middle Tennessee's clay soils expand when wet and shrink when dry, and limestone bedrock is common across the region. These conditions, combined with drainage problems, can contribute to foundation movement and settlement over time.
Mark Schumacher's decades in construction help him distinguish common shrinkage cracks from patterns that suggest ongoing movement. When a condition warrants it, he'll recommend evaluation by a licensed structural engineer.
These symptoms can be minor — or a clue to a structural concern.
Stair-step, horizontal or widening cracks in block, brick or concrete.
Doors and windows that bind, won't latch or have uneven gaps.
Uneven or bouncy floors and gaps at baseboards.
Diagonal cracks at door and window corners in drywall or plaster.
Foundation concerns can be stressful, and some are serious. But many cracks are cosmetic results of normal shrinkage and settling. A careful visual evaluation helps separate the two.
Mark examines the foundation from inside and out, checks the crawl space or basement, looks at floor framing and connects what he sees to drainage, grading and moisture conditions around the house.
If findings point to a structural problem, his report gives a structural engineer or foundation contractor a clear starting point.
Mark evaluates visible and accessible structural components, including:
No. Mark is a licensed home inspector with more than 40 years of construction experience. His visual evaluation helps identify concerns, and he'll recommend a licensed structural engineer when a condition calls for one.
No. Small, uniform shrinkage cracks are common. Wide, displaced, horizontal or growing cracks are more concerning and may warrant further evaluation.
Common contributors include expansive clay soils, poor drainage, downspouts discharging near the foundation, plumbing leaks and soil that was poorly compacted during construction.
Often, yes. Correcting grading and gutter discharge is frequently one of the first recommendations for reducing moisture around a foundation.
A careful look at what holds your home up.
Call 561-301-7571 and tell Mark what cracks or symptoms you've noticed.
Mark evaluates the foundation, crawl space or basement and framing.
Crack patterns, alignment and drainage are evaluated together.
Know whether to monitor, repair drainage or call an engineer.
Structural & Foundation Inspections • 40+ Years in Construction • TN License #1374 • Serving Middle Tennessee