All houses, old or new, tend to experience a few issues with time. As their owner or potential seller, you should know how to spot the most common signs before they get out of hand and end up costing you a fortune.
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Kicking out pests is, after all, a job that is big enough – and you certainly don’t need the added expense of having to fix the structure of your home as well.
Here is a handful of tips on how to recognise the early signs of water damage and pests so that you’re able to avoid that huge financial setback, in the future. It just makes it a bit easier to love your home even more.
Spotting signs of water damage
These signs are particularly important to know before you’re buying or selling a house as, if left unattended to over time, it could cause huge issues with the structure – and you might be left with a law suit or a large insurance claim.
Keep your eyes out for signs of water on the walls, first of all, as well as on the ceiling. Usually, the signs will be clear enough but you might want to touch the area and consider if it feels slightly bulky or even soft to the touch.
Have a look at the floor as well, of course, and keep in mind that any bulky floors tend to get this way when they have been exposed to water. Have a chat with the seller, if you’re buying the house, and ask if it has been flooded in the past. Perhaps it was a one-time occurence and they’ll be able to fix the floor up for you.
Another point to this is that you should use your nose to smell for signs of mold as well. Mold, as we know, tends to manifest in quite humid conditions which is a strong sign of previous water damage. It will smell musty and bad, by the way, and you might see some condensation on the windows as well.
Spotting signs of pests
If you have ruled out that there has been any water damage in the house, it’s time to think about the creatures that may lurk inside it. Pests are, as we know, able to quite literally destroy your home over time and it’s better to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Make sure that you have a good insurance to fall back on as well, by the way, if you’re a homeowner as you never know if pests should decide to move into your home. Have a look at a public adjuster as well to ensure that you’re able to maximize your claim.
When looking for pests, you should use your eyes as well as your ears. Even if you don’t spot any droppings on the floors in the area that is close to outlets or entrances, you might be able to hear them inside the walls.
The most important thing is that you call for someone to get rid of them for you before it gets out of hand. You never know how long they’ve been there, after all, and they can cause serious damage to your house.
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