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Home Health Checklist – North Carolina Property Guide

Taking consistent care of your home may seem like a challenge. If you want to keep up with overall maintenance and preserve your home’s market value, it’s important to look over the structural supports. These, along with your basement or crawl space, all contribute to the health of your home. Keeping your supports water-free and stable will ensure better home health and quality of life for anyone living on the property. 

Your Home’s Structural Health

If you ever plan on selling your home, it’s important to understand that the home’s overall health influences its market value. Not only that, but it also affects your quality of life. If you let hydrostatic pressure damage your structural supports, not only do you risk a more uncomfortable day-to-day lifestyle, but it’s also possible that the damage done may become irreversible.

Because of this, the structural supports in your home should be cared for regularly. Watch for these signs of hydrostatic pressure in your home: 

Signs of excessive pressure may also occur outside of your home. If your chimney is cracked or your foundation appears to be sinking or settling, you’ll want to reach out to the professionals in the Winston-Salem or Wilmington, NC, areas as soon as possible.

Your Crawl Space Health

Your crawl space is more sensitive to water damage and moisture than you might think. Without keeping a close eye on this space, you could potentially run into avoidable issues such as pest infestations, mold damage, or illness spreading throughout the home.

There are a few things to look for when inspecting your home’s crawl space. You know it’s time to call the professionals if you are experiencing any of these issues: 

  • Standing water or moisture
  • Wood rot
  • Sagging floors
  • Cracks
  • Open vents
  • Mold
  • Damaged insulation
  • Unpleasant smells
  • Infestations 

A damp, water-damaged crawl space can also have a major effect on your utilities. Hydrostatic pressure could be the reason your utility bills begin to rise suddenly. This happens because as your crawl space begins to leak, it becomes more difficult for your HVAC system to maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home. That said, your bills will continue to rise until you find an effective waterproofing solution.

Your Basement Health

Although crawl spaces are more susceptible to water damage compared to basements, you can’t let your basement go without regular maintenance. If your basement starts to leak or collect moisture, it can allow infestations and potential illnesses just as easily as your crawl space would. A damp basement is also a health risk for your family, as exposure to extensive moisture can cause residents to develop allergies or asthma.

With that in mind, you’ll want to keep an eye out for the following signs of water damage in your basement:

  • Standing water that doesn’t drain
  • Water-damaged belongings
  • Unpleasant smells
  • Damaged appliances, including your sump pump
  • Obvious leaks

Unfortunately, many of these symptoms can also be seen if your foundation has been damaged, so it can be hard to narrow down the exact problem area. It’s best to call your local professionals to determine exactly where the dampness is coming from and how to put an end to the issue at hand. 

Your Concrete Slabs’ Health

Last but not least, it’s important to keep an eye on any concrete slabs you have in or around your home. These slabs play supporting roles in your house but also make up many of its exterior features, including:

  • Patio
  • Garage
  • Driveway
  • Basement floor
  • Sidewalk
  • Pool deck 

These platforms can begin to sink into the ground or unevenly settle if they endure too much hydrostatic pressure or soil settlement. Either way, damaged concrete slabs pose a safety risk to anyone who walks across them. If you come across any cracking or uneven concrete in these areas, you’ll want to make sure a trusted solution like PolyRenewal™ is used to lift them. Even with this treatment, it’s important to get your concrete slabs inspected every so often.

Protecting your home from water or structural damage doesn’t have to be a challenge. Luckily, you don’t have to do your own home inspection, either. Our inspectors in Raleigh, NC, and surrounding areas can walk through your home with you and take note of any damage you might otherwise miss. Once you are provided with your free quote, you can implement any recommended services to better protect your home.

Holly Richards-Purpura

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for almost 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.

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Fayetteville, NC 28311

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Greensboro, NC 27405

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Raleigh, NC 27609

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Knightdale, NC 27545

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Leland, NC 28451

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Winston-Salem, NC 27103