I bought a house a few years ago, but the seller didn't disclose that the foundation wall was sagging. We hired a company to install steel braces for support, and they provided a lifetime warranty claiming the wall wouldn't protrude further. We recently decided to sell the home, but the buyer's inspector said the repair was done incorrectly, leading them to back out of the purchase. We spent over $10,000 on the repair, and now it seems like it was all for nothing. I'm looking for advice on what might have gone wrong with the repair, how to fix it if it was indeed done incorrectly, and what steps I can take with the original repair company.
3 Answers
From what I see, the inspector might have flagged the lack of grout between the wall and the braces as a major concern. It’s common that the grout isn't added until after the braces have been adjusted, but you should double-check your warranty and maintenance guidelines. They typically come out once or twice a year to adjust the braces, which should help maintain support over time.
It looks like the repair might not have been sufficient. Depending on what the company's documentation says about the work done, it’s possible they just did a temporary fix rather than a full replacement. The wall might still be structurally compromised, even with the braces in place. You might want to get another professional opinion to understand the severity of the issue and whether you can still get it rectified under the warranty.
Honestly, it seems like the initial repair might not have addressed the root cause of the problem. The wall might still be considered damaged and could affect any future sale of your home. If the company didn’t provide a structural engineer's sign-off on the repair, you might find it challenging to get a mortgage for potential buyers. It's crucial to dig up any paperwork regarding the work that was done and the warranties provided.
That's good to know! I didn’t realize the braces needed regular adjustments. I was worried they were just a set-it-and-forget-it solution.