Ensure structural safety in construction
Renovating a home before the relocation is a good idea to turn it into the home of your dreams. But this is not the time when one has to hang up with the interiors and amenities only, you have to ensure that the structural design is strong enough. Structural failure is life-threatening and can cause physical injury and other problems.
So, before you hire coast to coast movers to complete your relocation process to a new home, be sure the home construction is safe enough where you can live along with your family while having peace of mind.
Check out these tips to ensure safety:
Structural cracks
If there are cracks present on the walls, floor tiles, and the other parts of the home building then this is a sign that you need to pay attention to these. Also, if there are gaps present in the window and door frames. It is recommended you not buy such property with cracks but if you have bought then fix it before starting your life journey here. Usually, cracks are found on the properties which are aging.
Water
Water infiltration is considered a big headache. If there are leaky roofs, walls, or pipes then this will affect the foundation of the property in a negative way. This ongoing water damage should be fixed at first else it will lead to many other problems and can degrade the structural quality of your home.
Inspect the roof well
It is the roof that offers the first-line defence to any outer element so pay attention to it at first. Shingles damage or wear and tear can cause leakage problem which needs to be fixed soon. Any home seeker won’t be able to inspect the small cracks therefore they need to be fixed after you get these to know else these can cause expensive damage. Usually, the problem associated with the roof decks is difficult to observe therefore getting the help of trained professionals is a good idea.
Soil pulling away from the walls
If the soil expands or shrinks during a particular season then this means you need to leave this property. Check out the several home parts such as patio, porch, and other areas and if they are signalling something wrong then it means the proper foundation is not good.
Crumbling concrete
Concrete present in contact with the high moisture starts to erode with time. This is because of the chemical reaction that the water or the chemical present creates. It breaks the bond of the material that crumbles the concrete.
Overall structural deterioration
With the age of a building, it is given that the building goes for a lot of wear and tear. With time, cracks, leaks, and moisture get deteriorate the health of a building. This is extremely important to check the building regularly else it can cause big accidents. A structural audit is mandatory at regular intervals.
Additional tips
- If the floor is uneven then this means that there are settling issues present on the property.
- The structural design should be made by the experts only so that it can withstand the weather conditions present in that area, especially the earthquakes.
- The walls should be 9 inches thick. If it is not then they will be poor in bearing load.
- The home chimney is needed to be inspected occasionally because if it gets cracked then this is an early sign of structural damage.
- The bulging in surface or concrete peeling off.
- If the cabinets open on their own then this is again the sign there is a problem with the foundation.
- Check for other things such as sagging, slopping of floors, uneven gaps around doors, when doors and windows do not open smoothly and lock properly, and so on.
- If there are stains of water or rust found on any surface.
Wrapping up
The construction quality of a building can be judged on several parameters such as architectural design, bathroom, and kitchen fixtures, the brand of these fixtures used, finishing grades, and so on. So, when you are buying a home, be sure you make the right deal and invest in the right property where you can live happily with your family without any risk.
