Find a home inspector you can trust with Sighthound Home Services
An elevation survey involves taking measurements at various points throughout the structure using a high-precision altimeter. This tells us where, and to what extent, the floor is out of level. Any significant variation helps to identify potential problems such as settling and movement of the foundation. If any significant differences in elevation are discovered, then we may recommend having a structural engineer further evaluate the foundation.
While we do take elevation measurements as part of our regular home inspection, an elevation survey provides formal documentation in the form of a layout report with our findings. This report serves as a useful reference, especially as a basis for future comparison to track foundation movement over time.
Monitoring the integrity of a foundation is particularly important in areas of Texas with Vertisols (clay-rich soil that expands and contracts significantly based on moisture content), which includes portions of Williamson, Travis, and Hays counties. This constant movement of the soil can wreak havoc on a building's foundation. An elevation survey can help with understanding whether the foundation is moving and to what extent, allowing for a greater understanding of what it will cost to remedy it. Using an elevation survey to monitor the foundation over time can provide early detection, allowing you to address the problem when it is cheaper and easier to correct.
Sighthound Home Services provides elevation survey (foundation report) services in Round Rock, Texas and surrounding communities in Williamson County and Hays County as well as Pflugerville and Manor. Not sure if that's you? Give us a call at (512) 553-5951 or send us an email.
Sean McMullen
Professional Home Inspector
TREC LIC# 25283
ICC #10259303
