5 Strategies To Find Out If Your Home Has Hidden Damage Issues

Homes can look perfect on the outside, but most home owners have no idea what’s going on at a deeper level. They assume their properties are okay, however what strategies help you to find out whether your home has hidden damage issues? That’s where this post comes in handy. It explores whether your home might have hidden damage issues and what you can potentially do about it. 

Here’s everything you need to know: 

Inspect Your Walls For Hidden Signs

The first step is to inspect your walls for hidden signs of damage. Checking them regularly can provide you with insights into what is going on deeper down in the layers of the surrounding structure. For example, if you notice cracks emanating from a point of pressure (say, with a roof gable), that could be a sign that something has gone seriously wrong. If you have your doubts, companies like Melbourne House Check are useful. Inspectors can look around your property and uncover things that might have remained hidden otherwise, particularly issues relating to structural damage. 

Look Into Your Attic And Crawl Spaces

Next, you’ll want to take a look around your attic and crawl spaces. These are often safe harbours for issues to develop without your noticing them. Pay attention to things like roof leaks and rodent invasions. If you see these, then it could be a sign of trouble. You also want to bring a flashlight with you to look for signs of chewed wires or droppings. Again, these can indicate serious issues with your property. 

Get A Thermal Scan

You can also invest in thermal scans. These occur when professionals come with infrared cameras to look for problems in or behind the walls. These services assist with revealing heat leaks and hiding pests, and moisture and don’t require any demolition. Thermal scans are ultimately for people who want peace of mind. If you aren’t sure what’s going on behind a wall or under a floor, these can reveal the truth or at least give you a proper reason for ripping things down and looking behind them. 

Check Your Water Bill

You’ll also want to check your water bill. Again, it can be a sign that something’s gone wrong and that you’ve sprung a leak. Your water bill is something you can measure by turning off all your appliances and checking the meter. If it’s still ticking over after, say, 8 hours, then you probably have a leak somewhere that you need to investigate quickly. Serious water leaks can undermine the foundations of your home. 

Smell For Problems

Finally, you can smell your home for problems. Strange odours are often a sign that something hidden has gone wrong. If water is the problem, the most likely smell will be musty. This is usually an indication of mould, often under the floorboards or in the foundations if it isn’t visibly climbing the walls. If deceased animals and pests are the issue, then you can often smell faeces or decay. These odours tend to be much stronger, but they can also be transient.