Top 5 Destroyers of a Home
/Owning a home is a huge investment; so the need to protect it is a no-brainer! I thought it’d be helpful to share some of the top destroyers of homes, ones that I’ve observed over the years, and how such problems can be avoided.
Water
The number one destroyer of homes overtime.
#1 Water is probably by far the top destroyer of homes. Often long before we become aware of it, gutters get stopped up. Their inability to flow properly results in water and ice buildup. When gutters overflow they can push water up under the roof and down inside of walls. This can go undetected, until major property damage is done or until a thorough inspection. Signs of stopped up gutters you can spot from the ground: leaf buildup; plants sprouting out of your gutters; water marks/stains coming from behind the gutters and running down the wall of the home; gutters pulling away/falling from the facia as a result of the extra weight.
Be careful not to assume that gutter guards are doing the job. Sometimes the guards only make matters worse. As they can prevent you from seeing the debris buildup (tiny particles) inside the gutters.
Even clean gutters may not be functional. If not piped far enough away from the home, your gutters may be dumping all that water right next to your home's foundation, making it’s way under your crawlspace or concrete slab.
Poor grading (a yard sloped toward a home) can cause major water issues. If water isn’t diverted around the house, it likely runs underneath, resulting in foundation erosion and increased settling and humidity. Some signs to look for: cracked foundation walls; a moldy crawl space; spongy floors; dank smell within the home.
I recommended having gutters cleaned no less than twice yearly, once or more after the leaves fall and in the spring. Downspout screens can prevent debris from entering and sopping up the downspout.
Carpenter Ants
Can eat away at the structural integrity of your siding and framing.
#2 Insects Most homeowners have at least heard of the destruction termites can cause, as they can go undetected for years. Like termites, powder post beatles, carpenter ants and carpenter bees gladly make their homes inside of wood. They will eat away at the structural integrity of siding and framing, leaving only dust in their wake.
Often overlooked, mud dobbers can be seen building their flute-like nests on a homes exterior walls. Their nests leave nasty stains, especially difficult to remove from wood siding. However, I’ve also seen vents and air conditioner fans stopped up by their nests.
Most insect issues can be effectively addressed by pest control services. However, there are the more challenging ones, like carpenter bees. Other tactics can help with this pest, such as carpenter bee traps hung under eves.
Trees
If you are like me and love your trees, have them inspected once a year.
#3 Trees Some folks love the asthetics and shade provided by trees around their homes. However, along with the benefits they can provide, it’s important to consider the risks. A tree falling in a storm can be a major problem, resulting in catastrophic damage to homes, sheds and vehicles. Wind can give the final blow, but fallen trees were often first weakened by root rot or the ground loosening up from days or weeks of rain.
More often, the damage caused by trees if the result of falling limbs and other tree debris. Keep an eye out for dying limbs or ones that have broken loose and are hanging “by a limb!” Also keep an eye out for apparent rot around the base and/or in veins running up the trunk, hollow spots or shedding bark. However, even healthy trees can cause major damage. Expanding roots can raise and crack sidewalks and foundations.
If you are like me and love your trees, just inspect them at least once a year. If feeling like you need a set of trained eyes on things, hire an arborist. Otherwise, basic trimming and dead limb removal may be enough to keep your home safe.
Ivy
Trap moisture in siding and brick and mortar.
#4 Vines such as English Ivy can add a great aesthetic effect to a home. But the damage vines cause are slow and can be major. They trap moisture in siding and brick mortar. Over time wood rot can migrate into the structural lumber and deteriorate mortar.
Vines also provide a route for insects and rodents to reside and travel safely to your home. Ant colonies love the shelter provided by vines. Common ants are bad enough, but as mentioned above carpenter ants are no joke!
If you choose to have vines around your home, simply keep them cut back, preventing them from creeping up the walls or into your crawlspace vents. I’ve found the easiest way to trim such vines is with a weed eater.
Theft
Security signs can make some intruders think twice about approaching your home.
#5 Theft is a less common consideration when it comes to potential home destroyers and for good reason. Personal safety and lost property are often the bigger concerns with such events. However, I’m including theft on this list, since many such acts result in damage to property at entry points (i.e. broken glass and door jambs), even if the intruder is unsuccessful in their attempt.
Here are a few deterrents to theft: Cameras - The idea of criminal acts being caught on camera is a major deterrent for most. If you are not ready to drop the cash on real cameras, dummy/fake cameras are available at a fraction of the cost and can be an effective start.
Security signs, especially ones indicating that cameras are on site (even if there are none) can make some intruders think twice about approaching your home.
Motion lights offer a convenient deterrent, along with providing the occupants visibility when needed. The surprise of a light coming on can be enough to make a potential thief do a 180.
We can help you solve these problems, schedule a call with us now!
Inviting Interiors, Home Renovation and Interior Design in North Carolina
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