When things go wrong with your home, it can sometimes feel catastrophic. You wonder how you’re ever going to sort problems out, but it turns out that most home repair situations that put you into panic mode aren’t actually that bad after all. Here are some examples.
A sagging floor
Sagging floors or floors that feel bouncy may feel like your home is collapsing, especially if you live in an older property; however, usually it’s just because there’s a joint issue. A cracked or undersized floor joint is often the problem and easily replaced once you take up the carpet. You can repair a sagging floor by:
- reinforcing sister joints and adding more parallel beams
- adding additional materials like steel posts
Many of these fixes solve the problem fairly quickly and often just for a couple of hundred dollars. You don’t need to spend a fortune.
Large cracks in the drywall that go up to the ceiling
Large cracks in your home’s drywall that go all the way up to the ceiling might seem disastrous. Many homeowners worry that their properties are subsiding and will eventually fall apart. However, usually it’s not foundation failure. Most large cracks in drywall are from normal setting processes or even humidity and climate changes.
All you need to do to fix these problems is patch them up and use some mesh tape. Then, if you’re really worried, you can get a foundation surveyor to come around and see whether there are any serious structural issues with your property. Usually there won’t be.
Smashed double glazing windows
Smashed double glazing windows are another apparent disaster for your property. These windows are made in factory conditions, so when they become damaged, you worry that you have to replace the entire unit.
However, I’ve found glazing repairs near me that will come along and just correct the problem. These services simply replace the glass that’s broken and allow you to get on with your day. They can do it quickly, often in the space of an afternoon. Even if a child throws a ball through the window, it’s not necessarily a disaster.
Water pooling in your basement after rain
Water pooling in your basement after rain also seems like a disaster. You worry about mould building up and serious issues with your membrane or foundations. However, the most common reason for water pooling in basements is just clogged gutters and downspouts dumping water too close to your foundations. It could also be the result of poor grading. Usually you can sort the problem out by cleaning your gutters and extending your downspouts so they go directly into storm drains.
Doors that won’t close are open
Doors that stick while they’re closing or opening can feel like your house is shifting catastrophically. You worry that you’re going to start looking like one of those haunted houses at a theme park, with walls at strange angles. However, most of the time it’s just either the wood expanding in the door or seasonal humidity. If you slightly shave down the edges of the door, you can often solve the problem permanently, no matter what happens with the weather.
