Scary Home Issues You Shouldn't Ignore
From pesky critters to peeling paint, don't put off dealing with these red-flag problems at home.
Rustling In The Walls - Ants on countertops or mouse droppings in HVAC grilles are signs that you have openings in your house that need to be closed. Check places like exhaust vents, condensate lines, pipes, ducts, utility access panels and garage doors - looking for obvious gaps, signs of chewing or nesting, or ripped screening.
Mold - You can expect to find mold occasionally in wet spots like the bathroom and kitchen, but when you see it where it shouldn't be, like living room walls, call a pro for an evaluation. An inspector can tell you whether you can clean it up yourself or if you need a remediation company.
Sagging or Warped Floor - This can be the result of natural settling, but don't assume it's harmless without looking in your basement or crawlspace. There could be a leak, or you may need more bracing.
Standing Water in the Yard - If water stands in your yard for hours or even days, you have poor drainage. If this occurs near your foundation, it can lead to moisture issues in the home. A French drain or re-grading the property can usually solve this problem.
Missing/Damaged Roof Shingles - Inspecting your roof regularly is a must. If you see a problem, tackle it right away. If moisture reaches the wood sheathing underneath the shingles, the potential repair can get expensive.
Scary Sounds from the HVAC - Loud, unusual sounds may indicate problems with belts, the blower motor or the compressor and should be investigated immediately by your HVAC technician.
Plants Encroaching on Your Roof or Walls - Shrubs and trees planted too close to your house can trap moisture, damage siding when the wind blows and fill gutters with debris. Climbing vines can splinter and rot wood siding and even weaken the mortar between bricks. If you like climbing vine, choose one that wraps around a trellis or other nearby structure.
Smelly or Gurgling Drains - Investigate any unpleasant smells or noises coming from your bathroom sink drain. You might have a blockage you can remove with a snake or plunger. If they persist, you may need to call a plumber to check the vent pipe. It may have become blocked by debris or nesting animals.
Condensation on Basement Pipes - Besides being annoying, dripping raises the humidity level in the house and increases the chances for mold growth. Make sure all vents to the outside are closed and add foam pipe insulation to the parts of the pipes you can reach.
A Sagging Roofline - This may not be a problem, but it's good to check it out. In older homes, this can simply mean materials have dried out. But it can also be a sign that something is broken, sheathing has rotted, or an important connection has come loose.
Dripping Faucets - Leaking faucets may seem minor, but they can waste a shocking amount of water. Don't wait until you see or hear a drip; actively check the cabinets under your sinks from time to time. Kitchen spray wands can leak down the tubing and under the cabinet without you noticing anything.
Poorly Built Decks - If your deck wobbles excessively when you walk on it, check the deck's attachment to the house. It should be attached with lag bolts or screw bolts to a sturdy ledgerboard, not nailed to the siding or plywood with straight nails.
Peeling Paint (Inside or Out) - If paint is peeling on the exterior, sun and water can damage the wood underneath. Peeling interior pain is an issue if it's peeling off in rough squares, like an alligator's skin. That's a sign that lead-based paint is underneath.
~Courtesy of HGTV
