5 Small Signs There’s a Problem with Your Home

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Homeowners need to be constantly on the lookout for signs of a problem with their homes. Unfortunately, some of the most severe problems often have very small signs that are easily overlooked. Below are some small signs that may actually indicate a larger problem underneath the surface. Hopefully, by learning about these small signs, you can better address them if they arise.

High Energy Costs

A common small sign of an issue with your home is if you have higher-than-expected energy costs. Most of us have to pay a monthly amount in order to cool down or heat our homes.

And we expect the heat prices to rise in the winter and the cooling prices to rise in the summer. However, if these prices start to go higher than they were for the previous season, this could be a sign of a problem within your home.

A common cause for higher energy costs is when your home isn’t properly insulated. Your home is working to produce heat, for example, but that heat is just leaking outside during the winter.

You’ll want to ensure there are no gaps around your windows or doors that could be letting the air out. After that, you may want to add more insulation to your walls to better insulate your home.

Water Spots on the Walls

If you notice water spots on your walls, this water comes from somewhere. In many cases, the culprit is a pipe behind the wall that’s leaking.

A small drip may not seem like a big issue, but the water that’s left alone can eventually cause significant damage to the structure of your home. It can even cause mold, which is a health hazard.

Once you see water spots on the walls, you’ll want to consult with some local leak detection services to find the cause of the problem. The sooner you address the source of the water, the better off you’ll be.

Water in the Basement

Along the same lines, if you notice water on your basement floor, this typically means that there is a lot of water underneath your home. After an extensive rainstorm, the water may get to such a level that it seeps through your basement floor.

To address the issue, you may need to install a sump pump, which can redirect the water underneath your home away from the house. As with water spots on the wall, you don’t want to leave any water problem unaddressed, as it can cause many future problems. This is especially true if you store things in your basement, as even a tiny amount of water or humidity could cause damage.

Cracks Along the Foundation

One of the biggest issues a home can face is when there’s a problem with the foundation. Your entire home rests on the foundation, so if there is an issue, not only can it impact the entire house, but it’s often challenging to fix.

A common small sign of a foundation problem is when you notice cracks along it. You may notice these cracks inside or along the exterior of your home. Some cracks are worse than others, however, so you may not need to panic yet.

Call a local foundation repair expert and have them inspect the solution. They may be able to implement a simple fix rather than needing to gut your entire home.

Gaps Along the Windows or Doors

It’s a good idea to occasionally inspect all of your home’s doors and windows. There are two reasons you’ll want to do this.

First, if you see any gaps along the windows or doors, this typically means your home isn’t adequately insulated. You can add some caulk or a door sweep to maintain the temperature inside your home better.

Second, if you do see gaps, and they are uneven gaps, this may mean there’s a problem with the foundation or the structure of your home. This is another instance where you’ll want an expert to inspect the situation for you. The sooner you spot the problem, the sooner you can address it.

Don’t Ignore Small Signs of Home Problems

There are many small signs of home problems that won’t cause long-term issues. However, there are others that it’s best not to ignore.

If you start to notice any of the signs above, we highly recommend implementing a plan to address them sooner rather than later. Doing so can help save you on repair costs and make sure your home stays in good condition for a long time to come.