Structural damage can be devastating as a homeowner. Foundation issues can be very costly, inconvenient, and extensive. As a potential homebuyer, knowing what to look for can help you avoid costly renovations to a newly purchased home. As a homeowner, knowing what to watch for in your home can help to ease your mind or remind you to fix problems before they get worse.
Inside The House
The following could all be warning signs that your home may be experiencing some structural problems:
- Cracks appearing on walls or floors, especially over doorways and window frames
- Doors that are stuck or don’t close correctly
- Water seeping into the attic or basement
- Windows that stick or won’t close properly
- Uneven, sloping floors
While it is typical of most homes to settle over time, any of these issues seeming to appear out of nowhere or these problems getting worse are a sign that something may be wrong.
Outside The House
Flaking and chipping concrete foundation walls can be a sign of structural damage that is possibly caused by drainage issues. You should also look for any signs that pieces of the house are drifting apart, such as brick work opening up cracks more than 1/8” or a crack along a chimney that shows it beginning to separate from an outside wall. It is usually considered that the bigger the cracks in walls or foundations, the bigger the structural problem.
Being aware of any probable structural damage can help potential homebuyers avoid possible headaches, and can help homeowners to fix any problems early.
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