Building houses is a technical process that requires great skill and attention to detail. As you’re searching for the right house that has all the features you love, don’t forget to focus on the importance of a structurally sound and properly constructed home. Continue reading to learn about the four most common house problems that are essential to know before buying!
Roof Damage
A damaged roof leads to many other problems within a home. A roof protects you and your loved ones from the outdoors. Before buying a house, make sure the roof is properly inspected for any leaks and broken or damaged shingles. Ask your real estate agent questions about the roof’s age or any other details they might know about the roof’s status or history.
Structural Issues
You never want to purchase a house that isn’t structurally sound. There are many indications that a home isn’t in the best condition. Try fully closing the doors and windows to see if they stick or won’t close at all. You should also pay attention to sloping or angled flooring and bubbling paint. Each of these elements is a potential sign of structural damage that should be further investigated by a professional. Even if everything looks good now, but damage shows later, you can hire a professional to handle your residential damage issues.
Water Damage
Pipes allow the flow of water to extend throughout every home. Because of this, water damage can occur at any place in the house where there’s plumbing and areas of excess water. Water damage is an incredibly common house problem you should look for before buying.
Water damage can lead to the development of mold. You’ll need an inspector to search for any water damage or accumulation of mold to ensure the home is safe and ready.
Hazardous Building Materials
Some building materials contain dangerous substances that will negatively affect your health.
The first substance to look out for is asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral made of thin fibers that can cause various types of cancers to those exposed to the material. There are a few interesting facts about asbestos; for instance, there is no safe asbestos exposure level. Also, it was once commonly used in products like roof shingles and ceiling and floor tiles. You can still find asbestos lingering in flooring, insulation, and other adhesives within older homes. If asbestos is found in your home, you will need asbestos abatement performed by a professional.
Another material is formaldehyde, which is a chemical used to make a wide variety of items, such as flooring, insulation, and many fabrics. You may also find it within manufactured wood products. You’ll be able to notice formaldehyde by its pungent odor. If it’s present within the house, there are ways to limit exposure to protect yourself!
When it comes to choosing the right house, you need something that will protect you and your loved ones. Now that you know about these common house problems, you can begin formulating the right questions to ask as you peruse the housing market!
