The foundation of your property is vital if you want to live in a home that you feel safe and secure in, and you know will withstand the test of time.
The integrity of your property can be complex to navigate if you are not a professional. If you can understand the basics, you will be able to identify problems as early as possible, so you can enlist the right support. You might find there are some problems that you can resolve yourself, and others that you need support from a professional.
Here are some top tips to help you understand why the structural integrity of your property is important and how to identify issues:
Why structural integrity is important
- It keeps you safe
If there is any compromise in the integrity of your property, you will put yourself and your family at risk. When a property is built, it is constructed in such a way that it can hold together under its load and withstand all weather conditions. If there are any issues with the integrity, it can result in damage to the property and even injuries due to fatigue, fracture, or deformation of the property.
- It is cost effective
It is important to learn about the basics of your property’s structural integrity because the earlier you can capture any problems, the less money and stress it will cost you. This will significantly reduce any future costs you have to pay out. On the other hand, if you don’t regularly check for structural issues, you will find you have to invest in costly repairs. It is also vital if you want to sell your home now or in the future, as it will help you add value and sell it for a better price.
What to look out for when checking the structural integrity of your property
- Damage to your roof
Small cracks and missing tiles in your roof might only seem minor, but can cause extensive damage if they are not discovered. These can lead to leaks in the roof, and will not only make your home less energy efficient and more expensive to run, but they can also lead to damage from bad weather and termite infestations.
- Damage to your floors
If you find that your floors are warped, or the floor joists have been damaged, it could signal a problem with the structural integrity of your property, such as an unidentified leak or a disfigurement in the foundations. You should regularly check for any problems. If you identify a problem, you should sort out the cause of the problem, then you can invest in new wood floors.
- Damage to your sills
Sills provide support to the beams in the foundation of your home. If these have been damaged, then the integrity of your home has been compromised and is no longer safe to live in. These can become damaged through termites or rot. You should get a professional to check the issue, as it can often be a quick replacement job. However, if there is a wet crawl space or a rotten post, then the job may be more dangerous and complicated.
The structural integrity of your home is important if you want to live in a safe home that has a long life span. Make sure you check for any issues and resolve them quickly.
