Six signs that there’s something wrong with your home
Winter is almost here and at this time of year we can expect the odd cold, or worse, influenza to cause some disruption to daily life.
With your focus already on staying well, this is the perfect time of year to think about the health of your home. Every property suffers from wear and tear but according to our experts, these are the six biggest ways your home can get sick.
1. Mouldy walls and ceilings
Jon Keena, of Keena Building Contractors, has seen plenty of mould in properties, particularly those built on the coast or on permeable clay soil.
“Mould is always a sign that there is a problem with moisture leakage somewhere. It could be related to a lack of air flow, a leaky roof, subfloor moisture, or a problem with drainage and guttering.
“If you can’t get up into or onto the roof, or under the house yourself, get a builder to do it for you. Once diagnosed, most problems can be corrected with improved ventilation or new drainage.
2. Severe cracking
Engineer Geoff Clark, of Vivid Civil Engineers, says that while all cracks should be noted, those measuring less than five millimetres in width, might only need patching over.
“If the cracks measure more than five millimetres in width, they may relate to movement by the home’s foundations, which can be an expensive problem to correct. Cracks can be caused by tree roots sucking moisture from the soil making it too dry, weak foundations or moisture problems in the subfloor area.
“If you are concerned about severe cracking, I would recommend contacting a builder to come and take a look.”
Rotten decking could be a sign of a dreaded moisture problem or termite infestation. Photo: iStock
3. Termites
Termites can move extremely quickly, so if you spot a mud trail in the wood of your home, get it looked at by a pest inspector as soon as possible, advises Keena.
“While termites don’t eat treated pine, they can still travel over it to untreated wood, where they really go to town. Be sure to keep an eye out for wood damage in and under your home, especially if you live in a bushy area. If spotted early enough, termites won’t cause any serious damage, and poisonous bait will get rid of the infestation.”
4. Windows not closing and doors jamming
If your doors and windows are getting stuck in a closed position, or they can’t close at all, this might be another sign moisture is wreaking havoc, says Clark.
“This is a common problem for homeowners, especially in older properties, and likely means there is a problem with damp somewhere in the home that is causing the wooden frames to expand and contract. You’ll need to check for leaks and other symptoms of damp, and get a professional in to fix the cause of the problem, as well as the doors and windows themselves.”
Wet patches or mould are definite signs something is not right in the home. Photo: iStock
5. Rotting wooden decks and balustrades
Rotten decking can sometimes be a result of wear and tear in an old home, or it can be a more sinister sign of a dreaded moisture problem or termite infestation.
Safety inspections manager at Property Safe, John Dimond, explains, “we see a lot of highly preventable problems such as rotting wooden balustrades and decking, that are not only signs of a ‘sick’ home, but are potentially hazardous for home owners and tenants.
“Thankfully these issues are easy to spot, and can have a cost-effective, short-term fix such as single wooden board replacements, or longer-term solutions such as replacing the whole deck or balustrade as a matter of safety.”
6. Musty smells and water staining
Dimond says that noticing a musty smell could be the first sign your home is sick.
“Musty smells teamed with stains, wet patches or mould are definite signs something is not right and should be treated before a sick home creates sick homeowners! It could be due to poor ventilation or there might be a leak somewhere requiring attention. Fixes can be as simple as replacing the carpet, removing the source of moisture and improving ventilation.”
If you think your home might be sick, don’t fret, contact your local builder or property inspection expert for an assessment, and get it back to full health before spring.
Source: domain.com.au
