Sorry to bring this up...AGAIN...but here's my dilemma. (After web searching for three days, I finally found this site). My dad recently passed away, leaving my mother (84y.o.) in a precarious financial position. Their house in MI has had a basement leak for years, that I'd been begging them to repair. (I became aware of the leak when I went downstairs and saw mushrooms growing in the carpet; mold issues to be discussed at a later date.) Finally, they contracted w/ an inside co. to do interior tile & wall bracing. (It's a block wall that has shifted approx. 1/2" off the bottom block.)

I am now stuck in a position to do what is best for my mom, with limited resources. I understand that excavating is the only solution that will fix the problem. However, she(me) has been given repair quotes for up to $25K to properly repair the foundation. She can't do that. I can't help her. She's 84 and refuses to apply for a construction loan - heck, I'm not sure she'd get one! Anyway, she can pay up to $6K to have repair work done. Of course, interior work can be less than that.

Additional factors for consideration:

I'm assuming she won't be in the house more than five years, at the most. The house is on a lake that has become quite uppity and people are snatching up 3-b.r. ranches (like mom's), demolishing them, and rebuilding ridiculously large mansions. So, home value may not be too much of an issue. btw, the house is only 29 y.o.

I know this is a lot, but I have opinions coming at me from every angle and I need to make a decision that's in my mom's best interest. I need unbiased, expert advice! Thank you!

ed.to add: horizontal cracks between top two blocks, with smaller vertical cracks branching off. problem only appears on half of foundation but I'm not comfortable with only doing outside repairs on one half of wall. Won't water find another way in?

ed. again: Okay, LWP, I just spent hours skimming the post-that-won't-die, lol! I need your assistance - where are you located in Michigan?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: renee_r,