Building Inspections — Signs of Residential Structural Damage to Be Vigilant Of
Posted on: 23 January 2018
Purchasing a new home is not something that you can do on a whim. Therefore, although some people may choose to skip a building inspection in the name of cost cutting, this is not advisable. Even when the seller has carried out their building inspection, it is still imperative to hire a company to provide building inspections services, to be on the safe side. Here is a simple guide to some of the signs of residential structural damage that you should be vigilant of that would warrant a thorough building inspection.
Sagging in the roof
A red flag that should give you second thoughts about purchasing a property is a sagging roof. The problem with an uneven roof is that it has a higher vulnerability to leaks. The reason for the increase in susceptibility to leaks is because roof sagging can be caused by various reasons, all of which translate into compromised integrity. A common cause of roof sagging is exposure to extreme weather patterns such as gale winds or rainstorms, which end up shifting the positioning of the roof structure. However, sagging can also be caused by inadequate maintenance, which could lead to the roof frame to become vulnerable to damage. If you notice that the roof is uneven, ensure the building inspection services ascertain how severe the problem is and if roof replacement would be prudent.
Cracking in the walls and ceilings
Although not every single crack that you see on a property immediately translates into a problem, you should be wary of the severity of the issue. The first thing that you should do is pay close attention to the location of the cracks. For example, cracks that seem to be originating from the top of entryways or the ceiling could indicate that the tensile strength of the walls is steadily diminishing. Additionally, spider cracks on the walls could be indicative of trouble with the foundation, so it would be critical for a building inspection to determine the state of the base of the property.
Flooring that is not level
It may be difficult to discern whether flooring is uneven, but there is a simple trick you can use. Just place a tennis ball on the floor and watch to see if it rolls down an incline. If the tennis ball does start to move, you should have a building inspection to determine what is causing the unevenness. Some of the reasons why the flooring may not be level include settling of the foundation, cracked joists in the flooring and even a termite infestation!
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