A. If there is a crack in a brick veneer wall or any brick wall for that matter, then some settlement has occurred near this location. If there is no visible opening at the top, most of the time this can be monitored for movement as long as vertical sheer or displacement has not occurred. If the cracks continues to open as time passes, it is recommended that an engineer further review this area to determine what corrective action may be needed.

Q. What about cracks on interior wall surfaces?

A. Most of the time vertical or horizontal cracks are due to initial settlement, especially in newer homes and are not a problem. If a crack is diagonal and over a door, entryway or window, there may be a settlement problem or area that is overloaded. Most of the time, if the foundation is dry and there is no damage to the framing in this area, support can be added to these areas to keep the settlement from occurring. If the foundation is damp, the problem may be due to the increased moisture and require a different approach. Each house is specific in it’s needs according to how it was kept by the previous owner/s, so each problem will be different.

Q. How do I find out if the home has mold in it?

A. Just about every home has some degree of fungus growth in the crawlspace in this area. It should not be getting into the home. If it is, it is usually due to gaps in the air conditioning and heating ductwork. It is usually recommended that the system be further reviewed by a qualified mechanical contractor to determine the systems needs. Normally in this case the system should be cleaned and sealed appropriately. If the fungus growth is extensive under the home, there is usually a moisture problem that needs to be dealt with. These problems are common and it does not necessarily mean that the home should be abandoned or that you need to find another home. The seller usually has the option to get the repairs done in order to please the buyer, so discuss it with your real estate agent before you make your decision.

Q. There is a lot of moisture damage on this home, is the structure OK?

A. Most of the time, the moisture damage is limited to the trim and siding. The trim and siding are designed to protect the structure and keep moisture from entering into the walls. Siding and trim are easy to replace, but if the moisture damage is extensive, sometimes framing damage does occur. NC inspectors are required to probe these areas if they think more damage exists. All moisture damaged areas will be noted appropriately on the report and should be repaired by a qualified licensed contractor .