When you own a home, you are going to want to look out for all kinds of different things. As opposed to when you are renting and any structural issues are the landlord’s problem, when you own a house, those structural issues suddenly become something you need to deal with, and the sooner you can do that, the more money, time, and effort you are going to be able to save. Plus, you’ll be making your home a lot safer and more comfortable too. Read on for some useful structural tips that will help you keep your property – your investment – healthy.
Poor Drainage
In many cases, calling in a structural engineer in Brisbane is going to be the best and most efficient option for you when there are structural issues with your property. However, no matter what way you choose to proceed with the fixes and repairs, you’re going to need to know just what to look out for.
Poor drainage is a big problem that many homeowners come across, and it can mean there is a more significant structural issue to contend with. If there is poor drainage around your property, the foundations of your home could be damaged, and if you have a basement or crawl space, this could be flooding, and anything kept in there will be ruined. Water does a lot of damage in a short amount of time, so this is something that has to be fixed quickly.
Rotting Wood
Sometimes linked to the poor drainage problem and sometimes an issue by itself is the wood in your home rotting. Look around your door and window frames to see if you can spot any darker patches or peeling paint. Carefully press against these areas, and if the wood yields beneath your fingers, it is waterlogged and will be rotting. Pay specific attention to your bathroom and kitchen as these tend to be the dampest areas.
You’ll need to have the wood replaced, but you should check out the cause of the wetness before you do this. Is there a leak somewhere? If so, this needs to be fixed before any changes are made otherwise the new wood will rot.
Poor Household Repairs
A structural engineer might have to be called if you discover that poor household repairs have caused structural problems. Although everything can look fine on the outside, at least initially, this could just be covering up some big mistakes, and if you’re moving into a new property, this is certainly something you should check out where possible.
The most common repairs that go wrong are plumbing and electrical ones. People try to do things themselves that require an expert, and they make do with the ‘repairs’ they have made. Unfortunately, this can weaken the property structure, which is why, unless you are qualified, the bigger and more complicated jobs should be done by a professional.
Poor Ventilation
Did you realize that poor ventilation can cause structural issues and must be dealt with quickly to minimize the risk? It’s true. When there is inadequate ventilation within the home, moisture will build up and cause mold and dampness. This then reduces the property’s structural integrity, and it makes it a very unpleasant place to live in.
As well as repairing the obvious sign of damp and mold, you should investigate the reason behind it, and if it is poor ventilation this needs to be made better to protect your home.
Check The Age
In the past, health and safety regulations were less stringent, and building codes left a lot to be desired. If your property is older, the structure might not be as sound as it should be, leading to safety issues throughout the property.
When you are buying an older house (50 years old or more), it is imperative you have a proper survey done before parting with any cash. No matter how much you love the house, it just isn’t worth buying if there are major structural deficiencies.