Home Structure Issues to Be Aware of In General

Your home is a huge investment that requires regular maintenance and monitoring. If you're not sure what to look for in terms of structural concerns, the tips below can help.

Look for Bowing Walls

If your basement is unfinished, keep an eye out for cracks in the concrete or bows in the wall. Generally, basement walls will push in and the wall will flex inward until it cracks. 

Factors such as moisture, poor drainage and tree roots can do a great deal of damage to your foundation and your basement. Keep an eye on your gutters. If a daytime rain is gentle and there's no lightning, take a walk around your house to make sure that your gutters are draining.

If water is dripping off the front of your gutter and not running down your downspout, you need to clean your gutters. All that water weight is pulling on the structure of your roof. Wet soil around your foundation is putting pressure on the foundation of your home.

You may notice that your basement walls are bowing out, which may be an indication of a sink hole. While these are much more rare than walls that are bowing in, you still need to make a speedy repair to the damage to prevent serious structural damage to your home.

Keep an Eye Out for Water

Make sure that you check your basement for water after heavy rains or after the spring thaw. If the soil in your area is especially heavy, it's possible that saturated soil is freezing in winter and creating tiny cracks in your foundation walls. Water will then seep into the space.

Any signs of moisture under your home need to be checked out quickly. Even if the walls aren't moving, wet walls or a wet floor can mean that your foundation is at risk.

The repair process for this can be fairly simple. Your drainage may need to be improved. Your sump pump may need to be replaced. It could also be that the drainage on the outside of your foundation has become clogged or is simply non-existent and needs to be installed.

Because water under your home can increase the risk of mold, mildew and bacteria growth, you need to address any signs of moisture.

Cracks May Be More than Cosmetic

If your home has a brick facade or a brick 1/2 wall at the foundation, cracks in the brick may be merely cosmetic. However, cracks in the mortar and bricks of your home can also be a sign of a serious problem.

Take a walk around your home after a steady rain. Can you see the bottom course of bricks? Check to make sure that your bottom course of bricks is still sitting squarely on your concrete foundation. If the foundation walls are further inset and your brick walls are literally hanging over the edge of your foundation, it's time to call in help.

Again, the fix could be simple, or at least not terribly invasive. It's possible to fix these walls with an anchor that simply pulls the wall back into place. Your contractor may also have to dig down to improve the drainage.

Doors and Windows Need to Move Smoothly

A newly built home should have windows and doors that move smoothly, close completely, and keep out cold drafts. If your home is older, it may be necessary to replace doors and windows that don't provide protection against the weather.

A drafty older home is a risk because it may be letting in more than cold air. If your windows are drafty, they can also be letting in moisture. Water from heavy rains may be seeping into the gap between your exterior and interior wall. Even if it's not draining into your home, these wet areas will put your home at risk for pests.

Wet wood is easier for insects to chew. Carpenter ants, stinging pests such as wasps and hornets, and termites will all have an easier time making a home inside your home if the wood under the windows of your home is wet and stays wet for extended periods of time.

As you monitor your home for moisture, cracks and movement, make sure you also focus on maintenance. Avoid adding foundation plantings that will increase moisture against the outside of your basement walls. If you add a brick or stone patio outside your home, make sure it slopes away from your property. If you have an attic, check it in winter to make sure that the vent cover is intact and is screening out pests.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Engineering and Technical Consultants