As a homeowner, you take care of home maintenance and make improvements and upgrades as you can. Be aware of the small signs of problems in your home and around your property. Here are a few indications that your house needs attention.
6 Small Signs That Your Home Has a Big Problem
Mud Tubes are Signs of Problems in Your Home
If you see tubes of dried mud on the foundation, these can indicate a termite problem. Subterranean termites live underground. When they find a source of food that’s above ground, they build mud tubes to protect themselves as they move closer to the food source.
You may also find these tubes on the inside of your foundation, especially if you have a crawl space. Inspect for termite tubes at least once or twice a year.
Doors That Won’t Close
Doors that don’t close properly can happen because the foundation settles. The wood structure may shift, causing windows and door frames to warp. If the foundation settles too much, you may also notice cracks in the walls or ceilings.
A Sloping Floor
A sloping floor is one of the most common signs that your house is having foundation issues. When the foundation settles in one area, the floor may start to slant toward that side. A marble placed on the floor will roll to the area where the settling has occurred.
Call a professional to get an opinion on if your sloping floor is a sign that your foundation has a major issue.
Flickering Lights are Signs of Problems in Your Home
Flickering lights can be a sign of electrical issues in the home. You may have an overloaded circuit. It often happens when you turn on too many appliances hooked to a single circuit. It can also occur when the wiring is loose.
This sign might indicate that your home’s electrical service is inadequate. Most modern homes have 200 amp service coming into the home. Older homes may only have 60 or 100 amp service. That’s inadequate for modern appliances and electronics.
Small Holes in the Wood
Tiny holes in your home’s woodwork are signs of wood-destroying insects. Termites will eat wood from the inside out. They create small openings where they can eliminate waste. Powderpost beetles and carpenter bees may also leave holes in wood. Wood-destroying insects can damage wood, drywall, and may cause structural damage.
Hire a pest inspector to evaluate the situation. The damage may be isolated, or it could be a house-wide problem.
Odd Smells
If you smell strange odors in your home, these could be a sign of a more serious problem. Here are three things that can cause odd smells:
- Mold growth caused by hidden leaks or plumbing issues
- Sewer gases caused by faulty drains or clogs in the system
- Melting electrical wiring behind the walls
If you smell anything that you can’t explain, call a professional to find the problem and fix it.
Don’t dismiss an abnormality in your home as a simple quirk. It’s better to have it inspected and understand the problem. Make repairs as needed to make sure your home remains safe and comfortable for years to come.
Danny Inspections offers home inspection services including mold testing and inspections for termites and other wood-destroying insects. Contact us to schedule an appointment.