A home is only safe, of course, when its overall structure is compact, sturdy, and secure. A house with a damaged structure can mean thousands of dollars in repairs and will have a harder time being sold. Most importantly, however, a house with structural damage compromises you and your family's security.
In any case, structural damage is not something to take lightly. It's crucial that you know how to identify if your home has existing structural issues so you can get it fixed as soon as possible and prevent disaster. Here are some ways you can check for structural damage in your home.
Inspect the Foundation
Your foundation is the most important part of your home's structure; it literally holds the house up! Take some time to study the home's foundation, both in the interior and exterior of the home. Foundation cracks are big indicators that your house isn't as structurally sound as it should be. These cracks not only increase the chance that water and bugs can enter your home, but can always get bigger and create worse structural issues down the line.
You should also look for indicators that your foundation is shifting apart. If you have a brick foundation, for example, and there are gaps between some of the bricks, some sort of structural issue has caused the bricks to separate.
Walk Around Inside
Take a stroll around your house. Do parts of your floor feel uneven or sloped? Can you hear loud creaking that indicates loose floorboards? If you notice one or both of these, your home most likely has some structural damage. Uneven floors are not the most comfortable to walk on and can even increase the chance that you or a loved one will trip and injure themselves. An uneven or creaking floor is a big red flag and you should consult a structural repair company right away.
Check Windows and Doors
Another symptom of structural damage is unaligned or crooked windows and doors. Foundation shifting and settling can cause your doors and windows to separate from their frames, causing a bent, cracked, or crooked appearance in the frames. This is not only unsightly but can make it harder for your doors and windows to open or close, which compromises your comfort and your home's energy efficiency. Walk around your house and take note of any door or window frames that appear warped or separated.
Look from a Distance
Sometimes, one of the easiest ways to determine if your home has structural issues is to take a few steps back and look at the exterior of the house. Does your house appear to be leaning to one side or another? Does the roof sag? If so, your home has some sort of structural damage. You might not be able to see these subtle characteristics while inspecting your foundation and checking the floors inside.
Found Structural Damage? Contact NV Waterproofing!
NV Waterproofing is proud to offer structural solutions and crack repair in Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland. Our experts have had over 30 years of experience protecting homes from water damage and structural issues. We are dedicated to making your home as safe and comfortable as possible.
If you've found signs of structural damage in your home, don't hesitate to call us at 1-703-690-3889!
