The health of your home can have wide-reaching effects.
It can affect the physical health of the occupants. For example, water issues can cause mold. This can lead to respiratory problems or a weakened immune system, demonstrating a direct connection between building health and physical health.
The health of the home also affects building soundness. By diagnosing the cues your home is giving you, you’re able to take a proactive approach and address underlying issues. Ultimately, this can help you save money and prevent headaches. Home repairs won’t fix themselves if they’re ignored, and getting ahead of the problems can help you avoid more severe damage.
This checklist will help you identify the signs and problem areas like cracks, basement moisture, crawl space condensation, and foundation issues so you address your home’s repair needs.
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Want to perform a DIY home inspection? This downloadable and printable checklist will help identify the problem areas in your home so you can maintain a safe and healthy living environment for your household.
Signs of Structural and Foundation Problems
- Nail pops
- Wall and floor gaps
- Uneven floors
- Drywall cracks
- Sticking doors or windows
- Bowed basement walls
- Flood damage
- Cracked chimney
- Sinking foundation
- Foundation settlement
- Vertical, horizontal, or stair-step cracks
- Cracked bricks
- Cracked block foundation
- Concrete cracks
Signs of Crawl Space Issues
- Water in your crawl space
- Floor joist issues
- Wood rot
- Condensation
- Wet crawl space insulation
- Foundation cracks
- Open crawl space vents
- High indoor humidity
- Sagging floors
- Mold in your crawl space
- Unpleasant odors or poor air quality
- Rodent or bug issues
- High electric bills
Signs of Basement Health Problems
- Poor drainage
- Musty basement smell
- Leaking water heater
- Leaking basement windows
- Leaking in basement cove
- Sump pump issues
- Swelling or warped doors
- Water stains on the walls or floors
- Efflorescence
- Wet walls
- Wet floors
- Wet carpet
- Wet drywall
- Condensation on windows or doors
Where to Look for Sinking, Uneven, or Cracking Concrete
- Patio
- Garage
- Driveway
- Basement floor
- Sidewalk
- Pool deck
What Solutions Will Improve Your Home’s Health?
Creating a healthy home involves more than the cosmetics of cleaning or painting. It starts with addressing any bigger structural issues. A sound home will naturally have strong protection against flooding, moisture, pests, mold, and the many other threats that cause property decay and inhabitant illness.
If your home has some of the problem signs listed above, these solutions can help you achieve a more healthy home.
1. Foundation Repair
A healthy foundation is the key to maintaining the structure of your home and keeping you and your family safe. It’s important to address foundation issues quickly because foundation damage can reduce your home’s market value by as much as 30 percent.
If you believe you’re seeing signs of foundation problems, there are several repair options you can explore. A free inspection from a foundation expert can help you understand what’s happening with your home and develop solutions that are best suited to your unique repair needs.
2. Crawl Space Encapsulation
For homes that have a crawl space, what’s happening below the floorboards could be affecting the integrity of your home.
Water is the primary culprit for many home issues. Mold, wood rot, mildew, insects, and rodents thrive in this type of environment. A clean and dry crawl space can make your home less susceptible to damage and pests while also reducing humidity and improving air quality.
If you see signs of crawl space issues, you may need crawl space repair. A professional evaluation can help you explore options for crawl space encapsulation, drainage, and dehumidification.
3. Basement Waterproofing
Basement waterproofing covers a wide range of issues. On the extreme side, it can help protect against flood damage from heavy rains or big storms. It can also help solve issues of persistent dampness or humidity, which can quickly cause deterioration. After all, mold can start growing in just 24 to 48 hours, creating a problem long before it becomes visible 18 to 21 days later.
Waterproofing your basement is an important step that helps you address several home health problems. Solutions include sump pumps, interior drainage systems, dehumidifiers, and vapor barriers. The experts at JES can help you develop the best waterproofing solution to protect your home against the weather concerns and humidity of Virginia and Maryland.
4. Concrete Lifting
Cracking, sinking, uneven concrete slabs are dangerous tripping hazards for you and your family. It can also indicate the type of soil shifts and water problems that precede home foundation damage.
Effective concrete lifting gets to the root of the problem. Rather than a patchwork solution or excavation, concrete lifting is possible through polyurethane foam injection. Homeowners commonly prefer this solution because it is strong, durable, and economical. The experts at JES can help you understand if concrete lifting can help you lift the surfaces around your home.
Maintaining a healthy home starts from the ground up. Find out how you can preserve the structural integrity of your home with a free inspection from JES, helping homeowners throughout Virginia, Maryland, and northeastern North Carolina.
