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Updated about 7 years ago, 11/19/2017

User Stats

13
Posts
6
Votes
Jacob G.
  • Ankeny, IA
6
Votes |
13
Posts

1885 Brick Foundation - Cause for concern?

Jacob G.
  • Ankeny, IA
Posted

Hello all,

I have found a house built in 1885, that was converted into a 4-plex. Most of the house seems to be in good condition other than one section of the foundation and a probably leak in the radiator system. I would be purchasing the property and renting it out long-term.

The affected foundation area is located next to a crawl space. The rest of the basement's foundation looks intact and there aren't any missing bricks or noticeable shifting. My thoughts are this issue might have been caused by the gutter being lopsided, I postulate when it rains, the water pools in the gutter over this section, and then drops down along the foundation, which has caused the shifting.

Exterior of house:

Most noticeable interior ceiling. This room is right above the foundation issue. The second story also has a slope in the floor towards this side, however the second story ceiling is not nearly as cracked as the first story.

It also appears, to me, the hydronic heating system is probably leaking above one room:

I have tried to be conservative in my reno budget. I have budgeted $20,000 to fix both of these issues  (based on what I have read, and guestimates of what it might cost to fix). My question to you all is would these two issues be a deal breaker for you? What would you budget for a foundation issue like what is pictured (I am in the midwest)? My thoughts are I put an offer on the house, and if accepted, I then get a structural engineer out, and companies out to give me a quote on how much it would cost to fix both issues. If the quotes come back and its still a deal, I pull the trigger.

Thanks,
Jake

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