Walter Whitehurst
House Hunting Checklist: Five Small Signs That Can Indicate Much Bigger Problems with a Home
It’s not uncommon for homebuyers to recount horror stories about properties that appeared to be fine at first glance, but were actually hiding very expensive problems. If you fail to do your due diligence, you might find your dream house turning into a nightmare. The next time you walk through a house, include these five signs on your house hunting checklist that the property might be hiding an unfortunate secret or two.
Mold, Water Spots and Water Damage
Older and newer homes alike may develop a leaky pipe or another similar plumbing issue from time to time, but any type of water issue can result in mold growth inside the walls and the help of professionals like Mold Remediation Matawan can be a good choice to solve this issue. Water spots and warped wood indicate that the property has had a water issue in the past, and this means that the property should be more thoroughly inspected for mold growth and repaired by professional plumbers before you make a purchase. In addition, you should also have a water treatment done so that you can be assured of clean and pure water for you and your family. Also, you should check if a septic tank pumping service needs to be done as well.
Additionally, if anyone inhales Legionella bacteria, which causes the potentially fatal legionnaires disease, through water droplets or other water ingestion, it can cause Legionnaires disease, which can be very dangerous. You will need to hire a team of experienced legionella risk assessment professionals with a real passion for safety to conduct Legionella Risk Management Plans.
Doors and Windows That Stick
One of the most common signs of a foundation issue is doors and windows that stick or that are difficult to open and close. As you walk through the home, open and close the doors at leisure to identify if they are not in the frame properly. The issue should be reviewed by a structural home inspector or foundation contractor.
Small Cracks in the Walls
Some cracks in both interior and exterior walls can indicate that the home’s foundation has shifted and is no longer flat and level. Significant issues may be indicated by molding or door frames that appear to have shifted after installation.
Fresh Paint on a Small Area of the Wall
Many property sellers will apply fresh paint to walls before listing a home for sale, and this is not necessarily a sign of damage to the home. However, when fresh paint is applied on one area of the wall alone, this may be a sign that the homeowner is attempting to conceal water damage or other related issues with the property. Further inspection of the property is in order.
Floors That Slant
Any time a floor slants to a level that you feel as though you are walking up or down across the home, this is a significant indicator that the foundation has shifted. Foundation issues result in the movement of the foundation that the entire home rests on, and this can result in an uneven feeling when you walk across the floor. If you notice that the floors in a property slant, you should schedule an inspection of the foundation.
These small signs are symptoms of large problems, and they should concern you. If you notice any of these problems on a walkthrough, you may need to walk away from the home. Contact a real estate professional and/or home inspector for assistance.
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