To keep your home in good shape for years to come, it’s vital to stay on top of damage repair and routinely inspect your property to determine any problem areas. Some of the most common areas in your home that can sustain significant damage include your foundation, crawl space, basement, and any concrete slabs you have on your property. To look for any warning signs on those areas of your property, download this Home Health Checklist to make sure you avoid any damage.
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Maintaining a Healthy Home
Believe it or not, the overall health of your home correlates directly with the health and well-being of whoever’s living in it. For example, if your basement or crawl space is suffering from dampness or moisture damages, you could have mold present, which can cause respiratory problems or worsen asthma for you or your family.
Along with that, the structural integrity of your home also depends on the overall health of the property. A healthier building will be able to withstand the elements, maintain structural integrity, and remain energy-efficient.
The consequences of letting structural damage go unrepaired will cost you time, money, and could even lower your home’s overall value by 30 percent. If you have problem areas in your home, contact a local expert for a free inspection today.
What’s the Cause of Home Health Problems?
The health of your home starts at the lowest level, with your foundation, basement, crawl space, and concrete slabs. Unfortunately, if these areas are suffering from damage, chances are they will show themselves in other areas of your home as well. After all, the air quality of your basement or crawl space determines the air quality in the floors above it, so keeping this area in good condition is essential for a healthy home.
Along with that, the lower levels of your home can also save you from the effects of flooding if a proper drainage system is installed. However, if you have cracks in your foundation or your basement or crawl space are not properly waterproofed, you could suffer irreparable damages.
Cracks in your foundation could welcome unwanted pests, insects, or rodents that could cause damage to your property or even spread diseases through your home. Making sure your foundation is secure and cracks are repaired can save you from severe damages.
Check Foundation Health
One of the first things you can check when analyzing your home’s health is the status of your foundation or structural supports throughout your property.
If you notice any of these foundation problem signs throughout your property, it’s time to call in a professional to prevent further damage:
- Wall cracks
- Uneven floors
- Sticking windows or doors
- Bowing walls
- Cracked bricks
- Collapsing retaining walls
- Settlement sinking
- Nail pops
- Floor and wall gaps
- Foundation heaves
- Floor cracks
- Tilting or cracked chimney
While there are many repair options available for these damages, you may benefit from a free inspection to make sure all problem areas have been identified first.
Look Over Your Crawl Space
An area that’s sensitive to damage is your crawl space. Moisture and water issues in this area can creep into the upper levels of your home, affecting the air quality and the well-being of the home’s occupants.
If you notice any of these warning signs with your crawl space, taking action immediately is important:
- Crawl space flooding
- Sinking floors
- Mold growth
- Humidity
- Musty odors throughout the home
- Dry rot damage
- Rodent or bug problems
- Condensation
- High electric bills
- Foundation cracks
- Wet crawl space insulation
Moisture issues within your crawl space can cause your home’s HVAC system to work harder, which may cause an increase in energy bills. To avoid this inconvenience along with any other damages, schedule your free crawl space inspection today.
Evaluate Basement Health
The basement is another sensitive area you’ll want to pay close attention to. With a proper drainage system and a professional waterproofing solution, your basement should be able to withstand the harshest of elements.
However, if there are damages to your basement, it could lead to further damages to your home. Look for these warning signs:
- Flooded stairs
- Musty basement smell
- Efflorescence
- Mold formation
- Insects or other unwanted pests
- Poor drainage
- Wet floors
- Wet walls
- Wet carpet
- Condensation on walls or windows
- Water stains
Any of those warning signs should be looked at by a professional to avoid increasing damage. Luckily, the experts working out of Atlanta and North Georgia specialize in basement waterproofing, so they can help you avoid this damage.
Check All Concrete Slabs
Last but not least, you’ll want to look over all the concrete slabs you have on your property. Cracking, uneven, and heaving concrete slabs are tripping hazards and could be an insurance liability. It’s important to get these areas repaired with a solution like polyurethane injections that our concrete lifting experts use.
If you have any of these concrete areas on your property, look for damages and implement a professional repair solution if necessary:
- Sidewalk
- Patio
- Garage
- Basement
- Driveway
- Pool deck
Your home’s overall structural stability starts with your concrete slabs, your foundation, and your structural supports. Keeping your home healthy starts from the ground up. Inspect your home for damages and contact your local foundation repair experts at AquaGuard Foundation Solutions for a free inspection and repair estimate.
