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Taking Cues From Structural Clues

Houses won’t last forever, no matter how strong their initial architecture. The law of entropy, alternatively called the second law of thermodynamics, defines everything. Systems of order fall into chaos. So what’s the solution? Well, you want to watch out for key clues, and act on them when you find them. Certainly, it will depend on the clues, there are things beyond fixing.

With that in mind, this article will go over five key signs that you’ve got structural issues that must be attended to in your home, or in a home you’re looking to buy. These could be deal-breakers on a new acquisition or signs you need to sell the property you have “as is”. It all depends on your situation.

Torn Plumbing Vent Boots Allow Water Into Building Infrastructure

Vent boots on plumbing, which send moist air out of the house, can get torn over time. When this happens, the fracture can extend all the way down the vent, and contribute to leaking within the infrastructure of your home. If you notice torn plumbing vent boots, they need to be fixed. If they can’t be fixed, they need to be replaced.

Exterior Mold Could Indicate A Leaky Roof And Rot In The Walls

If you’re seeing a lot of mold on the outside of your house, that could indicate leakage. The leaking could be interior or exterior, but the mold wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t being “fed” by water at some point. So when you see exterior mold, do a careful inspection of the premises to determine where it’s coming from.

Depending on the sort of materials out of which your home has been built, the leak may be in differing locations. For example, mold on the outside of a brick facade could have to do with a humid local environment. You’d want to check on the other side of the wall, from the home’s interior, to be sure; it may be worthwhile to hire an inspector.

A Bulging Washing Machine Hose Means An Imminent Break

Most residential homes have washing machines. If you see a bulge in the hose of the washing machine, get that replaced or fixed as quickly as you can. Either the break is going to come in a matter of minutes, or it could take a year; but when things burst open, water will spray everywhere, and it’s going to be a huge mess that’s costly to clean up.

A Continuously Flowing Water Meter Means A Leak

Periodically check your water meter. If it’s always on, that’s a strong indicator you’ve got a leak on your hands; check all areas within the house where you’ve got control, and if you can’t find the problem, then you may have a leak in the walls of the home. It’s better to get that fixed than to let it be.

Spotting Or Discoloration Indicates Leakage

In general, when you see discoloration on the roof or in the walls, you’re dealing with some kind of leak. Chasing it down can be a huge hassle, but letting it go can destroy the property. Accordingly, you’re better served to find the source of the leak and fix it, than letting the discoloration continue unaddressed.

Moving A Declining Property

Some of these things can be fixed. Well, all of them can be fixed, but what you’re willing to spend may restrict how extensive your fixes ultimately end up being. You may want to just sell the house “as-is”, as some experts advise —you can read the article here— different situations will have different solutions to consider.

Regardless, it’s imperative to keep a close eye on the infrastructural “health” of your house. General maintenance can make a building last over a thousand years. Poor maintenance will see the dissolution of the structural integrity within a few years—depending on the local climate, of course. The wetter the climate, the quicker the decline—generally.

Water is probably going to be one of your most vicious opponents in the maintenance of your home. Know where you’ve got issues, and counterbalance them quickly if you can. If you can’t, then it may well be time for you to sell your property. A flooded basement left long enough to cause damage can quickly escalate homeowner costs beyond the ability of the owner.