I'm considering making an offer on a three-story townhouse from the 1980s, but I noticed some slopes on the first and second floors during my visit. Specifically, there's about a 1/2" slope near the fridge and kitchen doorway. I used a basic yellow bubble level, so I'm not sure how accurate that is. I also noticed some areas upstairs with a 1/4" to 1/2" slope above the kitchen. Other than that, everything else looked fine. I read online that a 1.5" slope over 20 feet is a red flag, but I'm not sure if I should extrapolate my measurements from the small sections I noticed. Additionally, there are some cracks in the walls of an upstairs bedroom, but nothing on the first floor or basement, which is partially finished. The basement seemed dry according to my moisture meter. This house fits my budget and has been nicely renovated, but I'm worried about the slope and potential structural issues. Should I be concerned, or could it just be settling? Any thoughts before I decide to have it inspected?
3 Answers
It might be totally normal for a house from the 1980s to have some sloped floors, as it can be due to settling over time. I’ve got a similar place, and my structural engineer said it’s pretty common. Just make sure you get a pro to check it out. It's always better to be safe than sorry!
As a home inspector, I can tell you that sloped floors are rarely a structural problem. If the differences in slope are really minimal, it's often just a sign of normal settling. Make sure to hire an experienced inspector who knows what to look for instead of someone new to the field.
That’s good to know! I’ll definitely ask for someone with real field experience!
Honestly, I wouldn't sweat it too much. Slopes can happen and often aren't a sign of major issues. I’ve seen houses where the weight from walls can cause slight slopes near those areas. But if you're concerned, definitely have a structural engineer take a look for peace of mind.
Exactly! Sloping floors are usually not a huge deal. Just make sure to check the foundation and surrounding drainage, and you should be fine.
Yeah, I agree! Just don’t rely solely on that bubble level; consider getting a fluid or laser level for more accurate readings.