The Importance of Structural Integrity in Home Construction

09 March 2022

Despite being familiar and comfortable, your house is a structural building just like any other and may suffer the same consequences and damage as any other house. You may not be aware that termites could eat at your walls, a water pipe could leak, your foundation could shift or your roof could be damaged. It is all too easy for these things to happen and no one in the home is aware of the problem. These are often issues that are only discovered after the damage is done.

It is for this reason that every homeowner should understand structural integrity and learn how to preserve it, along with warning indicators. There is no need to be an expert. You simply need to be aware of the weak areas of your home and understand when to fix issues that could end up being major structural problems.

Walls that Bulge

Is there a tiny bend in any of your house’s walls? Every wall needs to support the roof and a bulging wall can be an indication of a foundation problem or a structural issue in the home. Even if it is only an issue of loose cement that has deteriorated over time, the bricks may fall loose, and this could weaken the entire structure. If you notice something like this, you should immediately contact an expert to analyse the risks.

The Pipes

There is a connection between the heating system and the water supply system in your home. If you hear, see or feel pressure in the pipes when you turn the tap water, have it checked out by a professional. This could be an indication of a leak or a possible leak so you want a plumber to check it as soon as possible. Remember a leak could cause damage to the walls, floors or ceiling and in turn, this could cause mould or mildew to grow.

A Ceiling that Bows

If White ceilings might hide flaws. It might be that your ceiling has sagged or drooped and you can only see it from a certain angle. It’s a signal that there’s a structural problem somewhere. It may be a result of water damage coming from the roof, an upstairs bathroom or the laundry room. You’ll want to hire specialists to repair the problem before the house gets further damage. i.e. mould, mildew, structural damage. Other possible causes include support beams giving way, as well as the weight of anything bearing down on the roof or upstairs flooring.

Why Should You Care?

A quality home build requires an engineer to ensure a sound structure. The foundation and the walls need to handle stress and bear loads appropriately. This need also means that the most critical element of a new home build is the foundation, and it is an area that many homeowners do not prioritize. This lack of concern causes the home to need extensive foundation and structural repair down the road.

The foundation is the most critical element of the house. It bears the weight of the entire structure and it needs to be built to last to prevent future structural damage to the home. . Without a strong foundation, the walls of the home will bulge, bow and eventually fall.

Why You Need a Structural Home Inspection?

Before you buy or sell a home you need a structural inspection. This type of inspection reviews the structural integrity of the home. It is a professional analysis of the foundation, framing, and overall structure to see if it can continue to withstand the load that it bears. If you buy a home without a structural inspection you may be in for a very expensive surprise with extensive repair work needs. Worse yet, you may have bought a home that will fall in on itself in a very short time.

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