If your house has cracked or bulging walls, soil pulling, cracks in your chimney, problems with the roof, the air coming through the windows, or similar issues, chances are your house has structural damage and it is time to do some home renovation.
This occurring problem can happen to any house, even houses that are relatively new as different environmental factors can influence their sturdiness and cause damage.
This brings up the question, what can you do if your home happens to have these problems?
Cracks and bulging of the walls
Before starting any work, it is necessary to determine what kind of crack is in question.
If it is a surface crack, where only the smoothing mass has cracked, while the wall below it is “healthy,” the repair process is quite simple.
It will be enough to scrape the cracked putty with a spatula. Lightly peel the putty with a spatula as long as you feel that it easily falls off the wall surface.
It is important to remove all the parts of the glaze that have loosened in order to avoid having to repeat the process in a few months.
When only a solid, healthy putty remains on the walls, remove excess dust and larger impurities from the wall with a dry brush or vacuum cleaner.
Then it is necessary to apply a base for the walls. It is diluted with a larger amount of water, so for smaller repairs, you will need the smallest possible amount that can be obtained.
When the substrate is completely dry, a new layer of smoothing compound can be applied.
It is not recommended to work on large areas on your own because this job really requires experience, but if it is a matter of filling a crack, then this job can be done by yourself.
The whole process is a bit more complicated if you determine the crack goes deep into the wall and it is not just on the surface.
In this case, if you feel a bit incapable of handling the issue on your own, it is always better to hire a professional instead.
These issues are quite common and cracks or even bulging of the walls can be due to the wall’s exposure to harsh weather conditions or if the materials used while constructing the walls were of poor quality.
It is a bit different when your ceiling is bulging. Chances are it is retaining water.
This happens because of water leakage from either the pipes within the construction or the roof.
Roof damage
If you find that your roof is leaking, you are potentially at risk of significant water damage and other serious problems if you do not address the problem.
Too many people underestimate the damage that one small leak can cause.
Of course, at first, it looks harmless and it is easy to place a plastic container underneath to solve the problem, right?
This kind of thinking can get you in big trouble, as most small, harmless leaks develop into much bigger problems.
Before starting any repairs, however, you’ll need to discuss the details with your contractor and make sure all the necessary regulations are met.
Especially in the case of bigger repairs, changing the whole roof, adding to the current construction, or using a different material, you’ll have to obtain a permit in order to prevent inspections or any fees.
Permits are needed in most cases, although the details can vary depending on the state or local governance.
You can find out more about this issue on this link, and make sure to handle the issue yourself as most contractors are not responsible for this as their job is simply to repair the damage and nothing else.
Moreover, you may be wondering, why are leaks dangerous?
Leaks are a health problem for you and your home. This is because the water can easily go into the woodwork, creating a perfect refuge for mold and mold colonies.
Inhalation of mold is very dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.
If you notice dark stains or some darkened places anywhere on the ceiling, there is a high probability that the surface is under the influence of water and that it has started to decay and rot.
The wooden structure can also be moldy, which weakens it and makes it unstable.
Simply replacing the tiles or shingles of the roof, filling in the cracks or bigger holes, and changing some parts can prevent this from becoming a bigger issue.
We advise talking to a professional nevertheless for an expert assessment of the damage done. The whole process is quite simple, and the repairs are sometimes minor.
A bigger and more constant problem could be the reparation or changing of the whole roof, which is done sometimes if the original construction is showing signs of decay and is proven to be unsafe.
In this case, you’ll have to change whole parts of the roof in order to make it meet safety regulations.
Such things should not be taken easily as the well-being of you and your loved ones depend on them.
Hire an engineer to conduct assessments of the needed repairs
In the case of bigger issues, for example, if the house is old and rustic, you’ll need to hire someone to give you a professional assessment of the damage and whether it is worth repairing it or not.
Also, a civil engineer is well acquainted with issues such as the wearability of the foundation and material resilience.
In the case of older buildings that have a certain historical significance, you can always make projects and even ask for financial help from the local government or the community for preservation.
In other cases, you’ll have to simply pay from your own pocket. In this case, it is useful to know the whole scope of the damage to the house and if some problems are irreversible.
Make sure the installations are not a danger to you or anyone else
The electrical installations and the plumbing system of the house can be damaged by water retention, cracks, and holes. In this case, it can become a hazard for you, your loved ones, or even the surrounding community.
We, therefore, advise hiring an electrician or plumber to take care of the faults and replace anything damaged.
This and other issues should never be pushed beneath the rug, as such problems can only grow over time and almost never disappear.
It is, therefore, advised to take immediate action in order to make sure the problem is dealt with; the faster the better.