Home renovations shouldn’t be done carelessly, otherwise they can cause various issues that might result in costly repairs later on.
Let’s look at some of the most common home renovation issues that homeowners might run into and how you can avoid them!
Rotting Wood & Water Damage
Wood doesn’t rot as quickly as you might think. It will take a consistent amount of moisture to be present for untreated wood to rot.
If you notice that wood is rotting, it might indicate a leakage somewhere, perhaps due to damaged caulking or a damaged pipe. Rotting window sills are also a bad sign because you might need to replace them entirely.
Water damage and leaks are some of the biggest problems you might face during renovations. Faulty plumbing, and leaky roofs, can lead to dozens of other issues, such as mold, termites, mildew, and the aforementioned rotting wood.
Wiring Issues, Outdated Plumbing, and Electrical Work
If you have faulty plugs or switches, it’s time to call in the electrician. If you worked with a general contractor, you might benefit from the agreed-upon insurance. Every wiring issue needs to be fixed right away, especially if you keep tripping a breaker. The electrical parts of your home are sensitive and will cause more problems if left untreated.
Building codes change, just like everything else. You might have galvanized pipes installed if your house was built before the 1960s. In the worst-case scenario, you might discover that your electrical and plumbing are outdated during your renovation.
They can pose serious health issues and should be replaced with PVC, CPVC, or copper. All of your sockets should be grounded in your electrical system, and your wiring should have a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to prevent house fires.
Discovering Foundation Cracks
There are few things as nerve-wracking as discovering foundation cracks in your home during a renovation. Cracks in the walls or floors, the edges of rooms, doors, and windows can indicate this issue.
The foundation of old houses might crumble at some point in time. Retained water can also pose a problem for the home’s foundation, as does the weight of the house and the settling of the earth. Structural engineers can take a look at your foundation and pinpoint the issues. Whatever the cause, these repairs will take some time and money.
Finding Unsafe Materials
A home renovation might reveal the presence of unsafe materials, such as lead or asbestos. This is very common during renovations of older homes. These hazardous materials should be disposed of right away by professionals.
Lead is incredibly poisonous and is commonly found in interior and exterior paint finishes or plumbing. Asbestos can be found in the basement, behind walls, the attic, or the ceiling.
Final Words
No matter what issues you may discover during your home renovation, it might be time to contact a general contractor to get your home in order. General contractors can subcontract other specialists, such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and others to make your home feel brand new again.