If you own a property then you may find that at times, the jobs are never-ending. You may feel as though the house always needs cleaning and that it is impossible for you to stay on top of things. If this sounds like you then you need to know that you are not alone. That being said, there are some jobs that if you ignore, they get worse and could even devalue your home, regardless of how spotless it is inside. If you want to find out more, keep on reading.
Foundation Cracks
It’s so important that you inspect the foundation on a seasonal basis so that you can look out for cracks. Small or hairline cracks are not an issue at all. They are often caused when the concrete cures or sets and you can seal them with some epoxy. If you have cracks that are bigger however then this requires immediate action. A good rule of thumb is, if you can fit a pencil into the crack then it’s far too big for you to ignore. While you are looking for cracks, you need to take note of any buckling or bulging. If you see things like this then you need to make sure that you have them inspected immediately.
Water Leaks
A lot of issues throughout the home happen when water goes where it shouldn’t be. Leaking roofs, pipes that drip or even faulty plumbing can easily cause destructive damage to your drywall. You may also find that it damages your floor and this is the last thing that you need. If you hear, see or generally suspect water damage, then you need to make sure that you get the issue inspected as soon as you can. If you can do this then you will soon find that you can stop any further problems from developing. If you have water leaking from your gutters, now would be the time for you to explore gutter cleaning.
Mould
A lot of people believe that mould is a sign of poor housekeeping. They think that mould grows when someone doesn’t keep their home clean, but this isn’t the case in the slightest. Any time water comes into your home, it will cause the growth of toxic substances. You may notice bubbling in your wallpaper or a stale smell in the air. Chronic issues with your sinuses are also common. Even though there are many DIY kits out there that are able to detect mould, you have to know that they are not accurate. If you think that your property is home to mould, then it’s a good idea for you to call in a professional if you can. They can then treat the mould growth and they can also fix the underlying issue so that water is no longer able to get where it does not belong.
Pests and Rodents
Insects and rodents are known for causing huge damage to a home. On top of this, it’s not nice to think about creepy crawlies running around and sharing your space. Out of all the pests, termites happen to be the most destructive. You need to look out for termite tunnels that run from the foundation of your home. They may also be hanging from the ceiling. Termites sometimes shed their wings throughout the house, so you need to keep an out for this as well if you possibly can.
Signs of an Electrical Overload
Fires that result from faulty electrics happen to destroy 45,000 homes every single year. This was more of an issue in homes that were built before the year 1970 but at the end of the day, you have to remember that no home is immune from the mere possibility of a fire. If you are not sure if you have bad electrics or not then you need to try and watch out for flickering lights, blown fuses or outlets that feel warm when you touch them. If you do happen to notice things like this then you need to call an electrician as soon as you can. Problems like this are not repairs that you should ever attempt to do yourself. If you have a funded emergency savings account, then this will help you to pay for issues like this. Of course, it’s always handy to have an emergency fund if you can because home repairs can be expensive, and you never know when one is going to strike. The more you can prepare, the better. If you have had your house recently rewired then this is great, but make sure that you keep the certificate as you’ll need it when the time comes for you to sell up.
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Super agree! Water leaks are a huge concern, and must be addressed at the first sign of trouble. I’ve seen too much homes needing extensive repairs as a result of someone not realizing the extent of the damage. I would also add siding repairs as one of those things that really needs to be checked out as well. Siding damage can get so much worse, to the point where one may even need to replace it.