The Cost of Ignoring Structural Repairs: What You Need To Know

Being a homeowner is expensive – from mortgage payments to taxes to insurance, bills can add up very fast. However, you don’t want to tack on another one by ignoring your home’s structural problems. These are issues that seem small until they aren’t, so it’s important not to ignore them.

In this blog, we’ll discuss some signs to look for, how delaying repairs can affect your home’s value, and how to make the right choice in repairing your home.

Signs of Structural Damage You Should Never Ignore

There are a lot of signs to look for in your home that may indicate structural damage is present. From small cracks in walls to sagging floors or bulging walls, homeowners have many signs to keep an eye out for. Here are some to NEVER ignore:

Cracks: Cracks in your home can be found all over – on interior walls, ceilings, or even floors – but some of the most serious to pay attention for are on your foundation. Next time you go to the basement, look for horizontal cracks and stair-step cracks. Vertical cracks are typically indicative of foundation settling, while horizontal cracks are signs of foundation shifting, a more serious and potentially hazardous structural issues. These cracks indicate foundation shifting and require attention from a professional.

Bulging Walls: We all know that a wall should be flat, so if your wall is rounded out towards you… There should be no question that there’s an issue at hand. Bulging walls are signs that your foundation is failing. This problem requires prompt attention to attempt to restore the structural integrity of the home. Some common causes include foundation movement, soil expansion (caused by repeated wetting and drying of soil), structural load issues, or frost heaves.

Moisture and Water Damage: We talk about this a lot, and how we can help keep your basement dry. It’s no secret that water can cause issues in your home, so why ignore it? If you see water in your basement, it’s time to find the source, address it, and keep your basement dry! Untreated water problems can lead to mold, rotting, and weakened foundations. These can cause health issues and structural issues, so it’s important to address them as they arise (or ideally, before they arise) to mitigate collateral damage.

These are just a few signs to look for and are some of the easiest to identify without professional help. Others include increased home humidity, sagging rooflines, and chimney cracks, but these won’t be as apparent as foundation cracks, bulging walls, or water damage. Now that you know some of the structural damage signs to look for, it’s time to discuss how these can affect your home’s value if left untreated.

How Delayed Structural Repairs Can Affect Your Home’s Value

Structural repairs are usually unexpected and can reveal themselves at inconvenient times, making it easier to just keep them in the basement and forget about them until it’s more financially feasible to address them. However, this short-term cost-saving measure can have long-term implications.

Reduced Resale Value: TV may show off buyers that are in the market for a project home, hoping to fix it from the ground up, but most homeowners aren’t like those buyers. If your structurally compromised home is on the market, potential buyers will likely be discouraged knowing they’re investing in something that requires further investment from the get-go. Additionally, home appraisers will see the damage and lower the value of your home, resulting in a decreased market value.

Increased Repair Costs: Small repairs come with (relatively) small price tags, just like big repairs come with big price tags. Structural repairs that are left untreated for a long time have the potential to grow into large problems that require significant repairs. The small crack that could have been a few hundred dollars to address could grow into a larger crack that requires thousands of dollars in repairs, so it’s important to repair structural issues ASAP.

Insurance Challenges: Homes with unresolved structural issues typically face higher insurance premiums or have difficulty obtaining insurance at all. This is because the home is already being looked at as a liability and potential hazard by the insurance company. Should an insurance company choose to insure a property with issues, homeowners should expect to be paying more for their premium because of the structural issues present.

While it can be expensive to fix issues, it can be far more expensive to wait to fix issues. The best option for homeowners is to evaluate whether they can fix it themselves, or if they need a professional to come in. Some professionals even offer financing to make repairs like this more affordable, so then it just comes down to making the right choice: DIY or call a professional?

DIY vs Professional Repairs: What’s the Right Choice for Structural Issues?

The thought of calling a professional can be daunting: dealing with scheduling, paying high prices, having random people in your home, it’s a lot. This overwhelming feeling can sometimes lead homeowners to leave issues untreated or attempt to just fix them themselves. Rest assured, the professionals have this under control – they’re professionals, after all. Their job is to ensure your home is structurally sound and repairs are done to the highest quality.

So, how can you make the right choice for your structural repairs?

DIY: If you’re looking to do it yourself, make sure that it’s a job that is actually in your wheelhouse. For beginners, jobs like repairing small hairline cracks in drywall, brick mortar, or around a windowsill can be done without a professional. These cracks should be less than 1/8” wide, examined to ensure they don’t extend far, and are most likely just cosmetic. Small cracks like this can appear with age or usual foundation settling and can easily be repaired with caulk or patching kits.

Professional: Many of the issues we discussed in this blog require professional work, including bowed walls, foundation cracks, and water damage. Professionals are well equipped with tools and advanced knowledge of how to treat these issues, and for the safety of your home, it’s best to leave the hard work to them to ensure everything is repaired properly. If something is on the edge of a DIY project and a professional project, it’s most likely a good idea to call the pros for a consultation to determine the best course of action for your home.

When in doubt, ask for help. If there’s one thing that you don’t want to leave up to fate, it’s the safety of your home. Homes are a significant investment that should not be neglected. Even if the cost of repairs is unsettling at first, it’ll always be less than if you wait and let the problems grow. We offer free foundation inspections and service consultations to help you make the best decision to keep your basement dry, beautiful, and healthy.