18 - Friday, February 10, 1989 - North Shore News

Look at the foundation -
before buying a house

AS A homeowner, one of the most
costly yet least anticipated ex-
penses one can encounter is foun-
dation repair.

While most buildings have in-
significant settlement and small
foundation cracks, a little easy in-
vestigative work can reduce the
chances of unknowingly purchas-
ing a home with significant struc-
tural problems. A hefty repair bill
soon after a recent purchase can be
devastating.

An attitude of informed, watch-
ful expectancy is your best
defense,

Before buying a home, know the
area. Foundation problems occur
commonly in buildings erected
over land fills, on hillsides or on
soft materials such as peat.

Make a visual inspection of the
house starting from the street and
concentrate on examining all ver-
tical and hovzizontal structures for
plumb and level. Look at win-
dows, doors, posts, walls and
siding.

Compare all parallel structures

STARTING FROM

A NORTH SHORE MAZDA
EXCLUSIVE OFFER
FREE AIR CONDITIONING

89 MAZDA MX6

NOT EXACTLY AS LLUSTRATED 4
2-Dr, DX, PIS, tilt, AMIFM radio. All season radials. “50

on each side of the building-Start-
ing at the roof peak, move to the
fascia at the edge of the roof then
to all the windows and so on.

If something appears slightly
untrue do not hesitate to go and
sight along any part of the struc-
ture comparing the levels and
plumb with adjacent structures or
other buildings.

Walk around the building and
cerefully examine all concrete,
stucco and masonry work. All are
dead giveaways for settling as ihey
have poor tensile strength, are
rigid and tend to crack rather than
bend with settling.

Examine all of the foundations
for cracks, tipping or the staining
of water penetration. Check side-
walks, patio slabs and basement
floors for cracking and separation
from adjacent walls.

If any of these structures have
been recently renewed ask why.

Go inside the house and examine
al) openings in any walls for corner
cracks or repairs of the finished
surfaces. Check especially for

Enbat oe

from the traditional Prow to the
Designer Series
Vacation home to residence
or the beauty of a cedar sunroom

| Distributed by
M.D. MACKENZIE LTD.

For Sales and Information Call

921-6164
200 Page Plan Book $1300

bowing, buckling, twisting of all
opening doorframes.

Open and close the doors and
windows, including cupboards and
closets. Look for sticking, bending
or signs of recent planing or hinge
adjustment.

If your inspection reveals the
presence of any of the above signs
the building needs assessment by a
competent structural repair
specialist.

(Prepared by Robert Vickars of
Vickars Developments Co. Ltd.,
Specialist in structural repair and
underpinning.)

CHAINSAWS & EAWNMOWEES :

Benjamin
OOre,

160 Hanes, North Vancouver
2 biks south of Capilano Mall

“Affordable Warmth” §

For a limited period, Regency’s wide selection of
freestanding woodstoves and fireplace inserts

come with a FREE gold plated door

— A SAVINGS OF $126”!

*See you at B.C. PLACE

“North Shore

HOME SHOW!

Regency Deskr February 17-26/89

co ONSTOUES

ELEGANT INTERIORS BEGIN WITH
BENJAMIN MOORE PAINTS
OUR HIGHEST QUALITY INTERIOR PRODUCTS

LUMBER COMPANY

Mon.-Fri. 7 am - §:30 pm
Sat. 3 am - 5:00 pm

Sun. 10 am - 4:00 pm

980-3484

1394 Main Street, N. Van.
984-4059 wt