There are a number of home structure problems you may end up with throughout your time as a homeowner. Ideally, you’ll be able to catch these problems early. However, you might be less able to catch problems early on if you don’t know the signs and symptoms associated with these problems. If you’re looking for more information about home structure problems, make sure you know about these signs and symptoms.
Home Health Checklist Created By: JES
1. Foundation Failure
Foundation failure is maybe the most serious of all these problems. That’s because it can significantly impact the entirety of your home. When you’re looking for foundation failure problems, make sure you keep your eyes out for the following signs:
- Nail Pops
- Wall Gaps
- Floor Gaps
- Uneven Floors
- Drywall Cracks
- Sticking Doors and Windows
- Bowed Walls, Especially in the Basement
- Chimney Cracking
- Sinking Foundation
- Vertical, Horizontal, or Stair-Step Cracks
- Cracked Bricks
- Cracked Block Foundation
- Cracks in Concrete
These aren’t all the problems you might experience with foundation failure, but they’re certainly some of the most obvious ones. In general, you may end up with foundation failure if you notice that certain elements of your home’s floor are shifting more than other elements. That’s what causes things like wall gaps, floor gaps, and cracked bricks.
2. Crawl Space Issues
A crawl space is a great option that many people utilize to maintain the elements underneath their home without a basement. However, you can also start to see problems in your crawl space. These problems may become more obvious with these signs:
- Standing Water
- Floor Joist Problems
- Wood Rot
- Condensation
- Wet Insulation
- Foundation Cracks
- Open Crawl Space Vents
- High General Indoor Humidity
- Sagging Floors
- Mold
- Unpleasant Odors
- Poor Air Quality
- Rodent or Bug Issues
- High Electric Bills
It’s important to fix these crawl space problems because of the ways in which the crawl space problems impact the rest of the home. When you have crawl space problems, especially mold, mildew, and moisture, you’re liable to end up with those same problems in the rest of the home. That can lead to serious allergies, worsening asthma, and other concerns.
3. Basement Problems
Although not everyone has a basement, there are many homes with basements across the country. Basements can be a great additional area in your home, whether you use them for storage, an extra living room, or even a guest bedroom. However, you should also pay attention to these warning signs:
- Poor Drainage
- Musty Smell
- Leaking Water Heater
- Leaking Windows
- Leaking in Basement Cove
- Sump Pump Issues
- Swelling or Warped Doors
- Water Stains
- Efflorescence
- Wet Walls
- Wet Floors
- Wet Carpet
- Wet Drywall
- Condensation on Windows or Doors
As with crawl spaces, basements often share much of their air with the rest of the home. That means any problems you have in your basement will definitely have an impact on the rest of your home. It’s important to think about the elements of your home that could impact the residents’ health, especially when it comes to issues like mold and mildew.
4. Home Concrete Health
More than likely, you have concrete both in and around your home. However, did you know that this concrete can become less healthy over time? If you want to maintain your home’s health, pay attention to your concrete for these warning signs:
- Cracking
- Uneven Concrete
- People Tripping on Concrete
- Ants Coming Through Cracks
- Staining
There are other potential problems you may experience with home concrete. However, these are a few of the most common ones. If you’re going to check your home structural integrity, make sure you don’t leave the concrete behind.
Conclusion
There are a lot of potential home structural problems you may want to watch out for. It can feel a little daunting to have to think about all these home structural problems. That’s why many people opt for yearly home inspections. When you have an expert come in and inspect your home once a year, it’s definitely easier to catch problems before they become really serious.
