As the year draws to a close, there is no better time than to do a thorough DIY inspection of your home. As your largest investment, it is imperative that you take the necessary means to make sure that your home is doing well and holding up properly. However, as important an investment as your home is, its health is often not given a moment’s thought until one of two things occurs: 1) you plan on moving and need to put it on the market, or 2) something goes wrong. Waiting until the last minute to take care of your home often leaves you with a severe and expensive issue to deal with. While nothing beats a professional inspection of your home, doing a DIY examination of your property can help you catch issues before they become major problems.
The first stop on your DIY inspection should be your foundation. The foundation of your home is undoubtedly the most important component of your entire home. Be on the lookout for cracks, crumbling concrete, water damage, bulging walls, and/or buckling pillars. If you notice any of these signs, contact a foundations expert right away.
Next, it is time to walk around the inside of your home and look at all the walls and ceilings. Cracks, peeling, or crumbling of plaster are all signs of damage. Stains, mold, and condensation are all indicators that water damage has occurred. If you have signs of damage in these areas, it is important to find the source of the damage. Again, this is where you need an expert.
Now it is time to move to your windows and doors. It is important to open and close all windows and doors to ensure that they function properly. Windows and doors that stick or refuse to open often indicate foundation damage. If there are gaps in your windows and/or exterior doors, not only could there be foundation damage, but the energy efficiency of your home has been greatly compromised.
Lastly, inspect your attic and roof. It is necessary that your attic be well ventilated, showing no signs of moisture. Walk around the outside of your home, with binoculars if necessary, to check that there are no missing shingles on the roof. Missing shingles allow rainwater and melting snow to creep into your home and cause extensive water damage.
Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs wants your home to be safe. We offer professional inspections, and we also offer expert repairs to any issues that you find yourself. Don’t neglect your home’s safety. Call us today.
Posted on behalf of John Anglin, Anglin’s Foundation & Masonry Repairs
