Buying a home is one of the most exciting endeavors that a person can go on. On the other hand, it could turn out to be a nightmare experience if a proper inspection of the house is not done.
Water damage comes in many shapes and sizes and if you are not vigilant, you could be buying a house with more than just a little TLC needed. If you are a homeowner already, then doing routine water damage checks can save you a ton of money in maintenance. Here are some of the top signs that you should look out for.
Checking the obvious inside
There are certain obvious signs that water damage is afoot and spotting these areas is easy if you know what to look for. When walking around the inside of the house, inspect the areas where water is prone like the kitchen, bathrooms and any other area where there are water pipes.
Any physical signs of water should let some warning bells in your mind go off. When you cannot determine where the water is coming from, ask the Kansas City water removal service to remove the water and locate the source. They’ll be able to pinpoint the origin and the severity of the water damage in no time.
Go spot hunting
Water is not a friend to any in-home surface and when it has penetrated a surface, it will quickly show. The water dissolves the minerals and other impurities in the surfaces and leaves a discolored ring on the surface. Ceilings are the easiest to spot and can allude to the fact that a geyser has burst, or that there is a leak in the roof.
Sinks, taps and other water outlets should also not have any mineral traces around the fittings. If you find mold in the bathrooms, you should stay clear and call for mold removal services in your area to come and have a look.
Watch where you are walking
When water has penetrated the floorboards, the evidence is quite clear as the boards will start to lift and crack. When the damage is severe, these boards will have become very brittle. However, when the house has tile floors, the damage is often hidden.
Cracked tiles can often be overlooked and seen as a broken tile that has nothing to do with water. There is no floor irregularity too small to inspect, especially the areas that don’t often get used or seen.
Cabinets and other fixed features
Houses are great at hiding their imperfections and the visible surface is often clear of any signs of damage. Meanwhile, when cupboard doors are opened, the signs are very evident.
When inspecting a home, always make sure to open all the cupboards and look underneath all the sinks to see if any damage is hidden from plain view. It could also happen that “patch jobs” were done to hide obvious signs of water damage.
Carefully inspect any spot repair work on paint that was done on ceilings, windows and walls as they may hide some damage.
Do an outside check
Most people forget about the outside of the house. The immediate perimeter of the house should always be inspected for signs of damage.
The house should always be on the highest slope of the property and a clear path for rainwater to drain away from the house should be evident. Inspecting a house after a storm will quickly tell you if something is not right.
Also, look for cracked or missing shingles on the roof as this can indicate a leaky roof. Lastly, if the window frames are warped or separated, then there is probably a leak somewhere.