What Should You Do Before You Buy A Damp House?
The damp house conundrum is one of the most frequent and painful problems faced by homeowners. It happens as a result of moisture seeping into the foundation walls or floors, causing discoloration and mould growth on wood or plaster surfaces, thereby reducing its aesthetic value. Read more here https://advanceddamp.co.uk/blog/buying-a-house-with-damp/.
How to avoid the damp house? Prior planning with these guidelines in mind should help you save yourself from a big financial loss, pain and worry.
Here are the things to look for when buying a house.
- Check the foundation and basement walls
Check the foundation and basement walls for cracks, water stains, or other signs of leaks. A damp house may be at fault here.
- No wall or ceiling cracks
If you see any concrete or plaster is cracked or have large chunks missing, it should be noted by the seller. The loss in value can be considerable.
- Check for water leaks
Check for stains on floors and carpets, as this may indicate moisture seeping in from outside.
- Check windows and doors
Check the windows and doors to see if they are tightly fitted or lose any moisture. If they do, they may be leaking inwards, causing dampness in the foundation. If you can see cracks or gaps around door frames, it should be better to hire a professional home inspector.
- Look for signs of settling foundation walls
If you know about foundations, you understand that these walls have pockets that can develop over time due to weak soil composition. If you see gaps in the foundation walls, take a closer look at it.
- Check for mold or water stains on the ceiling
If you notice stains on the ceiling, it could mean that there are leaks in the roof or foundation.
- Consider drainage
If there is no drainage system around your house, it will mean that all water and moisture accumulates near your house and increases humidity. So it is better to have good drainage system when buying a damp house.
- Get a professional inspection from a real estate agent
It is best to get a professional inspection before making a purchase, especially if you are buying the house for investment purpose. There are various types of inspections available, such as structural, plumbing and electrical.
- Get competitive appraisal
Sometimes sellers who want to cut costs sell their houses at below market rate just to avoid paying the appraisal fee so you should be very wise in choosing your real estate agent before signing any binding contract.
