How Can You Tell if a House has Structural Problems?

One of the biggest fears that home buyers have is getting a bad deal. When buying something as expensive and lasting as a house, it’s only natural to worry about making the wrong choice and regretting your decision for years to come. One thing that can make those worries even greater is finding out after you’ve already moved in that there are structural problems with your new home. Whether it’s a leaky basement, foundations buckling due to shifting ground, cracks or bulging on walls and ceilings these things are some warning signs to look out for.

 

Cracks or Bulging on Walls and Ceiling

When you’re checking out the property together with your realtor, keep an eye out for cracks or bulges on walls and ceiling. Just because there aren’t any now doesn’t mean that there won’t be in the future.

 

Cracks in Chimney

Cracks in your chimney are another thing that you should look out for. While the cracks might not be a big deal in and of themselves, they can let water into your house through your chimney and cause other problems in the future.

 

Uneven Gaps on Windows and Doors

Be sure to pay attention to the windows and doors in your house. If these aren’t closing evenly, it could be a sign of structure damage to a foundation, which is often an indicator of more serious problems.

 

Sinkhole near Your House

If you live near limestone or another area where sinkholes are common, then there’s always potential for one to open up near your house. Even though they don’t usually occur in populated areas, you should still keep an eye out for them.

 

Sagging Floors or Cracks on Staircase

Your floors may be sagging under the weight of furniture and people. As for cracks on your staircase, these can indicate damage to underlying foundation beams.

 

Soil Pulling Away from Foundation

Another major indication that your home has structural issue. If soil are pulling away  from your foundation, it means that the foundation wasnt properly laid down.

 

Sagging Roofs

Sagging is a common roofing problem and can be a sign that there is damage to the underlying structure of your house. If your roof is sagging , it will need to be repaired or replaced.

 

Cracks in the Walls near the Ground

If there’s a crack in the wall near the ground, this is a sign that your walls aren’t properly supported and you should investigate what might be causing it. If they’re appearing where there isn’t any furniture or anything else that could be pressing them down, then problems with your foundation are likely.

 

Cracks in Bricks

Cracks in Bricks are another sign that something may be wrong with your house. If you notice larger and horizontal cracks that run across the bricks are another warning sign that there could be a structural issue with your house.

 

Damp Sub-Floors

A sub-floor that lacks sufficient ventilation can get damp easily, which is another sign of structural problems with your house. This can be fixable by increasing the number of vents for proper ventilation or through drainage improvements.

 

Little Termites!

If you tap on a support beam and hear a hollow sound, it may have been eaten away by termites. Termites are another thing to watch out for when looking at your house as they can not only eat through beams and joints that hold up your house.

 

Final Words

If you already own a house or you’re serious about buying a house, you need to do your research. The more research you do on a property, the better equipped you will be to make a smart choice and avoid bad surprises down the road. If you identify any of the above signs of structural damage in your home, you should call a professional to investigate it for you.