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How long has it been since you had a walkaround of your home? Not just flitting from room to room, but making sure the bedroom is tidy or the bathroom is well stocked. No, have you really looked around your walls and floors to make sure they’re in good condition? Now would be a really good time to do that, because your house might be in need of some real TLC!
Plenty of signs can be present in your home that you might not think much of. Is home super cold in the winter? That’s just because it’s freezing outside. Floorboards a bit creaky or dipping in areas? Well, you live in an older building; that’s normal, right?
It might not be, and you need to check in to make sure, especially if you want to remodel in the near future. So to help you prepare properly, here are some examples of areas in your home that might be in need of TLC.
The Attic Feels Very Cold (or hot!)
If the attic feels super cold in the winter and spring, and then very hot in the summer and autumn, it could be a sign you’ve got bad insulation. This could mean there’s a hole in the roof somewhere, or the insulation originally laid isn’t good enough for current weather conditions.
Either way, you’re going to need to get it patched up! If you can’t spot the issues yourself as they aren’t immediately obvious, call in someone who knows what they’re looking for. A hole in the roof could be minuscule, but still able to let all the bugs and elements in!
You’ve Noticed Uneven Flooring
Uneven flooring can be a sign something is seriously wrong. If the floorboards have become warped over time, and you’re noticing it more and more as you walk over them, it’s not just simple wear and tear. It could be a sign you’re dealing with subsidence, and you need to call in a foundation repair company.
Beyond that, even an older home with naturally uneven spacing could have trouble with its foundation. If you suspect even for a second that there’s a problem going on, call up a professional and get it seen to – it could save your property.
The Wallpaper or Paint Looks Damaged
When you look around a room and see that the paint is chipping or flaking, or the wallpaper looks like it doesn’t fit as well as it used to, these could be signs something has gone wrong. At the very least you could be dealing with a wall that wasn’t prepared properly; in this case, you just need to use some sandpaper and reapply the coat.
But in the worst-case scenario, it could be a sign that you’re dealing with some extensive water damage. To eliminate this possibility, check upstairs to see if there’s any staining around the ceiling and floors, and double-check any second-story bathroom pipes as well.
There’s a Few Stains and Rust Patches
Speaking of stains, if you find these anywhere you haven’t spilled something, it could mean something is a bit broken in the system. Around drains and guttering, in the attic and along the roof line – any rust or stain patches in these places could mean there’s a blockage or some eroding going on.
Grease is Building Up in the Kitchen
Grease is common in the kitchen and just needs wiping down here and there. However, a grease build-up can sometimes occur if there isn’t sufficient ventilation available. If you notice brown stains in your kitchen paint or wallpaper, or there’s always a layer of grease on the stove after you’ve used it, your extractor fan could be failing.
When this happens, you may need to simply pull it out and clean the vent, but it could also mean you’re in need of a total system rehaul. This can be done with a bit of DIY and a good replacement part, but take your time and follow a tutorial. You don’t want to make an easy mistake!
Giving your home some TLC every now and then will save it for years to come. If you know what signs to look out for, as well as the quick fixes you can do to prevent a real issue from occurring, you’ll be more than playing your part! Start with common problems like those above and never let a potential repair sit without a bit of research into what it could be.
