There is no exact definition of what makes a home uninhabitable. You can understand this as a combination of problems that make it unsafe to live. Some houses reach this stage because of continuous negligence by their owners towards repairs and maintenance. Others suffer because no one lived there for years. Regardless of the reason, you must know how to restore them to their former glory.
There would be a complex plan involving many steps to make it perfect. Here are the major fixes to reach the levels of ‘habitable’.
Checking For Harmful Substances
The houses made in older times used slightly different materials than today. Scientists have now confirmed some of them as toxic.
Check for any of these harmful materials in the vicinity. There are kits available in the market to test for their traces. These kits can also check for harmful chemicals. Old paint (lead-based) gives off lead fumes after some time. When inhaled for a long duration, this chemical reacts with the lung cells, causing health problems. Here are a few more of the dangerous materials to keep an eye out for.
Structural Damage
Damage to the structure of a house is unavoidable. There are two ways to solve this problem fully.
- Repair/reinforce- Repairing the structural damage is possible but depends on the extent of the damage. The walls, floor, ceiling, and even roof can be repaired or replaced. Another option is reinforcing the structure’s strength using these products. Assess the damages before suggesting the solution.
- Removing the reasons- Solving the problem involves removing the source of the issue. This prevents it from happening again. Look for water leaks and fungal growth. The latter depends on the former, so solving all water issues should have a decent effect.
Damage To Foundation
The foundation is one of the most crucial parts. This is where the entire weight of the house falls down.
Damage to the foundation can cook up some significant problems. As the soil beneath the house shifts, it leads to an imbalance in weight distribution. This causes the floors and walls to crack. The doors and windows won’t shut properly. A problem in the foundation aids in the structural damage. Water plays a major part in soiling the foundation. Subpar drainage causes the soil to absorb more water than usual. If identified on time, simple sealant repairs or complex slab jacking techniques can fix these.
Electrical & Plumbing
These two are very important systems in a house. The former carries current throughout the house while the latter is responsible to transport fluids.
Assess the damage to the plumbing system by checking the water pressure. Low water pressure means leakage, rusting in the pipe, or other problems in the system. Inspect the electric system by checking outlets for current leakage. Pay special attention to the wires and pipes of both systems respectively.
These fixes must take precedence over others. Restoring a house is a part of the problem solved. With the job well done, the homeowners will contact you to renovate the house too. Here are a few renovation ideas that will wow your customers.
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