Most people believe that major problems in the home are obvious, but this isn’t always the case. Something that seems minor often leads to major issues. Homeowners should watch out for small signs of major home problems. The following are some signs that should get your attention and be investigated.

A Door That Won’t Close

When a door has trouble closing, it may be one of the small signs of major home problems. It could be the result of a termite infestation or a problem with the foundation. Whether the cause is termites or structural shifting, either is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

Bubbling Paint

Bubbling paint on the surface of a wall or ceiling is a possible indication of an underlying mold infestation. If the mold continues to grow, it could damage the wall to the point that it has to be replaced. More importantly, mold is bad for your health.

A Burning Odor From an Electrical Outlet

A strange smell coming from an electrical outlet may mean serious problems with your wiring. Any unexplained burning odors should prompt a call to your electrician.

Flickering Lights are Signs of Major Home Problems

Flickering lights throughout the home may signify a problem with your home’s electrical system. If you have an older home that hasn’t had a wiring update in recent years, your household’s electricity use may be too much for the electrical load capacity.

Water Stains on the Ceiling

Water stains that appear out of nowhere on your ceiling mean you’ve got a leaky roof. Homeowners sometimes choose to ignore these stains if they’re small, but this situation will only get worse over time. Minor roof leaks usually become major during heavy storms.

Cracks in Windows are Signs of Major Home Problems

If you suddenly have a cracked window, it could mean that your home has experienced structural shifting. These types of window cracks usually appear as a relatively straight line that goes from one side of the window to the other.

These are just a few of the small signs of major home problems. Detecting small changes in time for a proactive approach often saves homeowners significant amounts of money and hassle. Don’t hesitate to call a professional over a seemingly minor problem.

Elite Home Inspections provides home inspection services to Louisville and the surrounding region in Kentucky. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

Your house may be your biggest financial investment. Take steps to maintain and even increase its value. Let’s take a look at a few things you can do to be a better homeowner.

Be a Better Homeowner by Being Mindful of Water Use

Using too much water isn’t simply wasteful. It will also affect your bank account. Here are some ways to save water at home.

• Install a low-flow showerhead.
• Switch to soaker hoses outside and eliminate your lawn sprinkler system.
• Add a rainwater collection tank and store runoff to use in the garden.
• Simply turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth can make a big difference.

Research Which Improvements Make the Most Sense

Be a better homeowner by doing a little research before taking on any major remodeling projects. Some renovations bring a better return on investment than others. For instance, you’ll typically recover the price of a new garage door more easily than the cost of installing a new hot tub.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

Save on utility costs and lower your home’s carbon footprint by improving energy efficiency around the home.  Caulk drafty doors and windows and add insulation in the attic and garage.

Be a Better Homeowner by Checking the Gutters

It’s common to overlook gutter maintenance. Twice a year, remove all debris from your gutters. Fall is the most important time to clean the gutters. It can help prevent ice damage to the gutter system during cold winter months.

Start a Neighborhood Watch

Keeping an eye out for all your neighbors is a great way to make sure your home is safe too. Get the neighbors together and form a neighborhood watch group with the aid of local law enforcement.

Develop a Few DIY Skills to Be a Better Homeowner

Learn how to perform some of the smaller home maintenance tasks on your own. You’ll save money when you paint the living room, replace a leaky faucet, or refinish the staircase by yourself.

Improve Curb Appeal

Boosting your home’s curb appeal isn’t something you should only do when selling it. Make your home more attractive at any time. Here are easy some ideas to improve the exterior.

• Paint the front door a bold new color.
• Trim overgrown shrubs and trees and add mulch to the flower beds.
• Stain or paint the wooden fence.
• Pressure-wash the sidewalks and driveway to tidy them up.

Inspect for Termites

Termites are pests that can do a tremendous amount of damage to your home, especially if they eat through major supporting beams. Look for telltale signs of termites and bring in a termite professional if you have concerns.

Change to Energy Efficient Bulbs

Are you still using incandescent bulbs? Replace your bulbs with more energy-efficient options like LEDs or CFLs. The bulbs will last longer and you will save money on your utility bill.

Check Smoke Detectors for Bad Batteries

Keep your family safe. Test your smoke detectors every month and replace their batteries twice every year. This way you’re sure to be alerted in case of smoke or a house fire.

Elite Home Inspections offers home inspection services to customers in Louisville, KY, and surrounding areas. Contact us to request an appointment.

No one wants to discover a plumbing problem at home. However, identifying any issues as soon as possible helps you mitigate repair costs before too much water damage can occur. Here are some signs of plumbing problems to look out for. 

Slow Drains May Indicate a Plumbing Problem at Home

Don’t ignore a slow drain for too long. Unclogging one drain is usually a simple fix. Make sure the problem doesn’t exist farther down the line. If you can unclog that one drain with a drain snake easily, then you probably fixed the problem. If you start experiencing slow drains throughout the home, it is a deeper issue that a plumber should look at.

Do You See Discolored Pipes?

Inspect the pipes under the kitchen sink and in the basement periodically. Do you see any discoloration? If so, you’re looking at one of the signs of a plumbing problem at home.

he discoloration indicates moisture on the outside of the pipe. It might be coming from a sink or drain line that is dripping water. It could also be a more serious issue, such as a supply line leak. Supply lines contain pressure, so a slow leak has the potential to turn into a substantial problem quickly.

A Sewer Odor is a Sign of a Plumbing Problem at Home

There is a system of traps and drains in your home that is designed to keep sewer gas out of the house. Smelling sewer gas means that there is a crack in the vent line or that the trap has run dry. 

Fixing a dry trap is relatively simple. It needs to be inspected for a possible leak or it might only need to be refilled with water. A cracked sewer vent is more problematic. It’s likely that you’ll need to break through a wall, fix it, and then repair the drywall.

Multiple Areas With Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure in one area is typically an issue with the fixture or faucet. However, if you notice low water pressure in multiple areas around your home, then you have a bigger issue. It could mean you have one of these problems:

• Supply line leak
• Water heater issue
• Problem with the water main

A High Water Bill Points to a Plumbing Problem at Home

A sudden increase in the water bill is a sign of a plumbing problem at home. Call a plumber to see where the issue lies. One issue might be a toilet that is constantly running. Toilets make up a majority of a household’s water use, so if it is malfunctioning it will waste a lot of water. One running toilet can cost you hundreds of dollars on your water bill.

Bubbling Paint on the Walls

Moisture will cause paint to peel or bubble. It’s likely that you have a leak in the plumbing system if you’re noticing this problem. Look for brown spots that may accompany bubbling paint.

Green Areas in the Yard

You might be dealing with a sewer problem if you notice a patch of yard that is greener than any other area. If the patch is located between the street and your home, then this is even more likely. Sewage acts as fertilizer for your grass, so a leak may make the grass look more lush in one area. 

If you see any of the above signs of a plumbing problem at home, call a plumber immediately.

Elite Home Inspections provides home inspection services to Louisville and the surrounding areas in Kentucky. Contact us to schedule an appointment.