Where I live, we have several months out of the year that are packed with devastating storms. These storms have been known to damage entire communities and leave many people's lives turned upside-down. During the days and weeks following these storms, we pull together as a community to help each other rebuild and repair the homes we live in. We have worked alongside some of the best damage contractors in the country. This blog contains a ton of information about the things that we have learned from those contractors during these devastating times each and every year through the worst possible storms.
rebuilding after the storms have settled
Noticing Water Damage During New Home Searches
Samu Palo
While looking to buy any residential property, in the back of your mind you may be wondering how you can be sure that each house doesn't have lurking damage that you'll have to cope with later. You can get professional expertise, but there are things you can notice even during a simple walkthrough. Water damage can be the most pernicious and costly of the problems a house can have; if you want to avoid purchasing properties where this is an issue, check for these five signs:
1. Musty Smell
Even in basements, a musty smell is something that shouldn't be considered normal. That damp, musty odor that can sometimes indicate mold is usually a telltale sign that water has been a problem in a space. Basements can be especially vulnerable to water damage, so if that odor greets you when you walk down into the area, ask the seller about it.
2. Icicles
If looking during winter, the homes you encounter should have functional gutters and efficient water drainage. If you see and are charmed by icicles dangling down as you approach a house, think twice. The icicles could indicate that there is trouble with the way water flows through gutters and could even mean that the edges of the roof are compromised.
3. Rusty Pipes
Ensure you open the sink drawers and carefully examine all the pipes you see. Any signs that rusting has begun or evidence that some of the pipes are corroded is likely to mean water damage has occurred. You need to inquire about why the pipes seem damaged.
4. Soft Spaces Around Window Frames
Window frames are easily overlooked but can provide vital water damage clues. If the wall around the frames seem soft, or wallpaper near the frames is bubbling or peeling, water damage of some kind could exist. It's possible that the frames are allowing water in.
5. Soft Floors
Walking around can alert you to existing damage as well. If you're in the house's kitchen or bathroom, stepping onto a spongy or soft spot near the sink or toilet is a clear sign that the flooring has suffered some amount of damage because of water. You might need to replace some or part of the floor as well as the plumbing problem that caused the damage.
If you truly love one of the houses you've seen and want to purchase it in spite of noticing these signs, discuss it with water damage restoration services. They might be able to rectify damage on the property so you can go ahead and feel happy about making the purchase.
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