When purchasing a house, regardless of its age, it is important that you are aware of problems that the house may have before purchasing a house. Depending on the type of damage that a house may have, repairs can run in the tens of thousands of dollars. It is imperative that you are aware of problems in such a large investment, especially if it could jeopardize your family’s safety.
What is structural damage?
Structural damage is damage that occurs to the core of the house. This damage happens to the foundation of the house, its walls and load-bearing walls, and the roof. These structures hold the weight of the house and keep it from collapsing. Problems with the structure of the house is not about the cosmetic damage that may appear on the house. Damage to the structure of the house is a matter of safety.
What causes structural damage?
There are a number of things that can cause structural damage to a house. Being aware of these causes can help you identify issues with the structure of the house. One reason could be in the home’s design. Poor planning or poor execution can cause structural damage even in brand new homes. If the foundation is not right from the start, the structural integrity of the home will be impaired.
Depending on where the house is built, there is are numerous environmental causes for structural damage. One of the main causes of this damage is from the movement of soil underneath the foundation of the home. Moisture and temperature cause the soil to expand and contract in an uneven matter which causes damage to the foundation.
Extreme weather and natural disasters can also be behind structural damage. High winds and floods can cause damage to the structure of the house and can erode the land that the house was built on. Earthquakes and droughts can also cause damage to the foundation of the house. On the wooden parts of the structure, damage can be caused by insects, such as carpenter ants and termites. Other animals including mice, rats, raccoons, and squirrels can ruin the structure of the house.
Signs of structural damage on the exterior of the house
-Damage to the exterior walls of the house, such as cracks in bricks and stonework. These cracks tend to be diagonal in a stair-like pattern but can also be horizontal or vertical.
-Cracks in the chimney or if the chimney is leaning.
-Cracks in the driveway and walkways around the house.
-Sagging roof. The roof may leak or appear uneven before the roof needs to be replaced (this varies depending on the type of roof and the materials used in making the roof).
-Cracks in windows. Pressure cracks glass that are unexplained.
Signs of structural damage on the interior of the house
-Uneven floors. The floors may sag or tilt.
-Sticking doors and windows. Doors or windows do not open properly.
-Cracks in walls or bowed walls.
-Small holes in wood and drywall. This is sometimes an indication of damage from insects like termites.
-Nail pops. This is a cosmetic problem where the nails behind the drywall pop through the drywall. If these are found throughout the home, this may be a sign of structural issues.
Structural issues in a house should not be ignored as it is a safety concern. If there are several of these signs that are not explained by something else present in the home, an expert should be consulted immediately. We hope that the information in this blog can assist you in identifying structural problems in a house that you may be purchasing.