Red Flags: Construction Problems

Looking for that new home or an investment property can be daunting at the best of times, especially when you’re green and don’t really know what to look for in the new property. There are always a few red flags that set off the more experienced home shopper. These are the things large and small that should tip you off that there might be a problem with the home that could include bad construction. It’s necessary that the prospective homebuyer knows what to look for so that they don’t walk blindly into a deal that could cost them thousands of dollars in costly repairs down the road.

One of the first things that you’ll need to do is get a clear picture of the property as it is. You first reaction will probably be similar to that of other customers and don’t make the mistake of imagining what the property will look like once everything is fixed up. Don’t overlook the aspects of the property that can’t be changed—there are some obvious things that you’ll need to be aware of.

Standing water on the lot is the first of these. This can be a sign of poor drainage which can in turn cause a wet basement or a cracking foundation. Try to remember, all basements might have a small crack or two that you’ll see during your inspection.  Standing water is a problem that can really worsen the problem and cause it to reach problematic proportions. While some drainage problems are easy to fix, there should be enough concern when you see standing water to investigate further.

Other kinds of moisture can damage several parts of the house as well. Look for moss growing on the shingles at the north side of the home as well as wood that’s rotting in the soffits where there’s no ventilation. Shingles that have been improperly placed can easily allow moisture underneath where it can damage the wood parts of the roof as well. Dampness that might be the result of poor construction throughout the home may cause mold and mildew which could lead to serious health problems in some instances. This type of damage can be prevented with proper maintenance but left over any period of time, the results of this can be very expensive to fix.

There’s no doubt that one of the more expensive problems to fix is a cracked or settling foundation. If you’re considering a property with this problem get a firm repair cost before you proceed with any purchase. Be especially wary of large cracks in the wall, and especially those in the corners of the walls. Remember too, that large horizontal cracks can be signs of foundation movement. Anyone considering buying a home where this is an obvious problem should have it looked at by an experienced licensed professional.     

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