Most homes need some sort of repair, but what might seem like minor issues could be warning signs of serious deterioration. Ignoring these can lead to costly repairs and safety hazards, so here are 18 danger signs your home is falling apart.
Leaking Roof
As TheRoofPros points out, catching a leaking roof early is the key to stopping it from costing you a lot of money. A leaky roof could be the result of an issue with just one roof tile, or it might have already done a lot of damage to the integrity of the roof itself.
Hairline Cracks
You must seal hairline cracks in your property as soon as you see them. Always check the basement for these cracks. If hairline cracks become bigger, this might be a sign of a foundation issue. You might need to have the foundation of your home repaired or even replaced completely.
Carpenter Bees
We all know how important bees are. But if they are living under the roof or on the side of your home, you have a problem. According to UC IPM, “Carpenter bees cause damage to wooden structures by boring into timbers and siding to construct nests. The nests weaken structural wood and leave unsightly holes and stains on building surfaces.”
Broken Gutters
You need to have your gutters cleaned at least twice a year. If your gutters are broken, the water will not drain away from your house properly when it rains. This could cause a lot of structural damage and will encourage the growth of black mold if you do not tend to the problem quickly.
Water Damage
Does your home have water damage patches on the ceiling? These patches are more than just unsightly; they are signs that you have a leak in your home. If the water damage is on the ceiling underneath the bathroom, the problem could be very expensive.
Boiler Trouble
There’s no denying that boilers are expensive to replace, but you shouldn’t let this ignore any warning signs. When it starts behaving differently, it indicates that you might have neglected it and it could have become inefficient or even dangerous. So, get them checked out before it’s too late.
Weak Floors
Do some areas of your flooring feel weaker or spongey? Then this could be evidence of water damage underneath the home. You might have a leak that is deteriorating the floor, so you really shouldn’t procrastinate on getting it addressed.
Power Outages
Does the fuse blow in your home when you have a couple of electrical items on at the same time? Then chances are that your electrical wiring needs some serious attention and could be a couple of steps away from starting a fire in your home.
Chimney Creosote
If you do not have your chimney swept regularly, the integrity of your property could be in danger. When your chimney is not cleaned, creosote will keep building up in the flue every time you use it. This substance is highly flammable.
Sinkhole
Did a sinkhole appear on your property? “Sinkholes may occur along outside walls or in the lawn or garden. They can have various shapes and sizes and can grow or deepen either slowly or rapidly,” according to the Conservation District of Fairfax County, Virginia. You must have a sinkhole assessed by a professional as soon as it appears.
Mold Mites
These mites are extremely small and hard to detect. They like humid environments, so they’re most commonly around in British summers. Although they may seem harmless, they reproduce quickly and can rot the structure of your home if you do not exterminate them fast enough.
Mold Around Windows
Black mold around your windows is a sign that water or humidity is entering the home and is already damaging its structure. You will need to have your windows and perhaps even the brickwork around the windows replaced to fix the problem.
Bubbly Paint
When paint bubbles, it’s a sign that there is a problem with humidity in your home. Not only will you have to repaint, but first you will have to deal with the structural issue and find and put an end to the humidity problem.
Ants
Ants might seem like harmless insects, but if you have ants living in your home, you have a problem. Ants bore tunnels through wood and can weaken the integrity of the wooden structure of your home. If you do not exterminate them, they can do thousands of dollars worth of damage.
HVAC Leaks
Is your HVAC system leaking? You must fix leaks before they cause structural damage in your home. Make sure you have a maintenance plan, which will allow you to have your HVAC system checked regularly so that any leaks or issues can be spotted before they become big problems.
Ceiling Droop
If the ceiling on one side of your home appears to be sagging or drooping, you might have a major structural problem in the home. One of your ceiling beams might be broken or badly damaged. You must call a professional immediately to assess this problem.