Buying an older house with a vertical foundation crack - dealbreaker or not?

Question

First time homebuyer in downtown SLC, UT. Brick home 92 yrs old w/a vertical foundation crack in the front of the house. The inspector says it doesn't look serious and there are no signs of recent damage. The neighborhood is older and most homes we've looked at have some cracks. Should I trust the inspector on this?

Answer 1

here in the UK i would say no way ..vertical cracks are bad news ..I'm a builder in the UK so I'm not familiar with USA construction ..if its a 9inch wall you could stitch lintels in the inside coarse ..and then replace the cracked bricks ..but make sure the price is right !

Answer 2

There are many different causes of cracks in the foundation, and the first step would be to identify what kind of cracking is/was happening so you can figure out the cause.  Some cracks could be caused when the foundation was laid and could be completely harmless afterward, whereas others could be signs of shifting and immanent danger.  I hope the link below can help you identify your particular case:

Answer 3

Please advise for a second opinion before you buy or sign any papers. The crack could possibly be major damage that only a skilled mason or carpenter would know the deal about.