Mia
Being a homeowner is usually a heady mixture of that warm, comfortable feeling that you’re on the property ladder and that you no longer need to constantly scramble around finding money to pay an ever-increasing rent. On the other hand, there comes with ownership a set of responsibilities that you need to fulfil to ensure your home is safe for you and other occupants, and also to ensure that the property retains its value over time. And, when things go wrong, without the correct intervention, they can spiral out of control pretty rapidly. To avoid this fate, you need to have an understanding of the various warning signs that might require intervention before they become any worse.
Plumbing Problems That Signal Bigger Trouble
Plumbing is a far more complicated trade than a lot of people give it credit for. It’s about far more than simply connecting a couple of pipes and then turning the water back on, and only when things go dramatically wrong does this point begin to dawn on most folks. According to White Glove Plumbing, services they get called out for can range from the relatively straighrowrd such as testing for water hardness, to the incredibly complex, like detecting leaks and repairing them before they cost you more money in bills and water damage. Some problems to keep an eye out for include:
- Low water pressure or slow drainage
- Discoloured or rusty water
- Unexplained spikes in your water bill
Water Damage And Moisture Issues
As you might imagine from the previous point, water can cause significant damage if left unchecked, and larger issues can begin to seep into the foundation or primary structure, leading to substantial problems that can only be resolved with considerable time and expense. When it comes to water damage, it can range from mild to serious, but in most cases, catching it early will prevent the issue from spreading.
- Obvious water stains
- Mold, mildew, or musty odors
- Water polling in areas it shouldn’t be
Structural Red Flags You Should Never Ignore
If you need to be fast with the repairs on the previous two problems, then you have to move at light speed for structural problems. These can be incredibly dangerous if left unchecked, and in some instances, you might discover that your homeowners’ insurance policy won’t cover the (often incredibly expensive) repairs if you haven’t made an effort yourself to remedy them. Some of the more common red flags you might spot, and that involve you calling in the professionals immediately, include:
- Cracks appearing in walls, ceilings, or foundations (could be a mere paint crack, but well worth further exploration)
- Sagging floors or uneven surfaces
- Doors and windows that stick or won’t close properly
If you see any of these issues or anything else that looks out of place or untoward, your best bet is to always play it safe and call in a professional contractor who can investigate and make an educated diagnosis. Although some of the problems noted here might not always be serious, it pays to err on the side of caution.
