Taking care of the house you live in goes without saying because paying attention to any problems arising in the infrastructure of the house can save you thousands of dollars in repairs. Sometimes people fail to pick up on signs that something’s wrong within the structure of their house that can potentially turn into a serious problem. This article is going to explain ten signs that any homeowner should be wary of if they spot them.
1. Proper Drainage Mechanism
Notice if the water is properly drained off the property or not. You might want to focus on the slope around the base structure of the house to figure this one out. Does the water trickle back into the house after draining? You should also look out for any cracks in the foundation of the building to make sure there is no way the moisture can settle in the base of the house.
2. Electrical Wiring
Another major issue that you might run into is your electrical wiring going haywire. The problem with the wiring is that the sooner you find the issue, the less invasive the corrective process can be. If God forbid the entire system short-circuits, you might need to replace the entire house’s wiring, which can be a pretty expensive project. One way to make sure the entire house’s wiring is working fine is to check all of its power outlets. You should also check the main electricity breaker box annually to make sure it is functioning properly.
3. Outdated Roofs
If you’ve inherited an aged house, then you should the roofs of the house first and foremost. The reason is that old roofs tend to have shingles falling off or cracks in them, which can cause leakage during rain and compromise the structural integrity of a house. Not to mention, if the house is old and the roofing is not strong enough, your insurance premium could go up as well. Austin roof repair is relatively easy to get done and you will find plenty of service providers like Ace Roofing as well.
4. Pest Infestations
Insect infestations in particular, should be taken very seriously. You generally won’t notice a pest infestation in your house, like termites lurking under the floorboards, until it’s too late. You might suddenly notice sagging floors or walls one day and realize you have a pest infestation case at hand. It’s best not to avoid the early signs because as insects grow in number, the cost of getting rid of them goes higher as well. It would be a great idea to get your house inspected at least every six months by a pest control company to rule out any potential risks.
5. Weird Odor
It’s usual for basements and cellars to smell musty because they’re literally built into the ground so that water can seep into the walls. However, if you find your house smelling musty all of a sudden, you might have a bigger problem at hand. Musty odor is a sign of mold and mold can be extremely dangerous to your health as well as the condition and value of your house. If you spot signs of mold, you need to call in professional help immediately.
6. Cracks In the Drywall
If you find small cracks in the drywall, that wouldn’t be a huge issue and is easily fixable. However, if you notice large cracks or crevices in your drywall, the problem might be bigger. Generally, cracks in drywall along with sloping floors appear when your house’s foundation is not solid and it has started to shift. Catching this issue early on can help prevent thousands spent on doing major renovation and restoration of the house.
7. Creaky Old Windows
If you’ve got a charming old house with its vintage-style windows, it must look great for the house’s appeal and will definitely add some character to it. But here’s a caveat: it can also lead to higher electricity bills. When the windows in your house are old and creaky they tend to let in a lot of air through their small gaps and that means you might have to turn up the thermostat constantly. An easy solution would be to use caulk to make sure the windows are sealed shut.
8. Sloping Floors
Have you noticed that your floor might be imbalanced in places or even wobbly? If the answer is yes, then you might have a hefty repair tag attached to it because fixing a house’s foundation can cost a lot. One easy way to check if your floors are uneven or not is to put a marble on the floor. If it rolls in any direction instead of staying put, you might have an uneven floor, even though you might not be able to notice it with the naked eye.
9. Bad Insulation
If your house is not retaining heat during the winter despite using electric heaters, then it might hint towards a sign that your house is inadequately insulated, and you need to take care of it right away to prevent the issue from progressing. There are several ways you can add insulation to the house’s walls, floor and roof. You can use spray foam as well as options like rigid foam boards to help prevent the weather outdoors from impacting the temperature inside.
10. Prevent The Toxins
While old houses have their appeal, the walls and floors also tend to be covered with Asbestos, lead from the paint. It is best to let a building inspector thoroughly investigate the property before you purchase an older house. In many cases, the renovation cost of getting rid of all the damage can be quite high. You can also negotiate with the seller to take care of this issue prior to selling the property to you. They can hire a professional asbestos and lead abatement company to test and remove the toxins for you.
Conclusion
While maintaining houses is not easy, you can easily cut back on the maintenance costs in the long run simply by staying on the lookout for any of these signs. If you notice any of the above given signs take quick to deal with them in a timely fashion.