Every home, no matter how old or new, has its fair share of quirks. As the place you likely spend a fair amount of your time, you probably experience most of these quirks on a regular basis. Though they can be annoying, they’re also reminders that you get to participate in the privilege of homeownership. Therefore, these quirks can be easy to ignore. While most of your home’s quirks are totally harmless, save for a minor annoyance, some quirks can actually be symptoms of major problems that you need to have addressed as soon as possible. Here are a few symptoms you won’t want to ignore if you notice them happening in your home.
Pops and Cracks
All homes, even brand new homes, experience settling to one degree or another. As the ground beneath the house compresses and moves, your house has to move slightly to accommodate. In most cases, the pops, cracks, and creaks you hear are perfectly fine and are certainly preferable to a rigid structure that would be ill-equipped to handle such changes. However, if you notice noises which are unusually loud or long, or which have a different tone than normal, it could be a symptom of foundation or structural issues. You’ll want to have a contractor come and take a look as soon as possible to ensure your family’s or your home’s safety is not in danger.
Flickering Lights
Especially if you live in an older home, mysteriously flickering lights can make for some great ghost stories that give everyone a good laugh. The fact is, though, your flickering lights could be symptomatic of something even more serious than a wandering spirit. Electrical issues manifest themselves in many different ways, whether it be a sparking electrical outlet, flickering lights, or even strange smells and sounds. If you experience any of these issues, it’s important to consult with an electrician right away to ensure your home’s electrical system is functioning as it should. Ignoring issues here could lead to a fire, electrocution, or other potentially dangerous outcomes.
Leaves, Leaves, Everywhere
Having a house surrounded by trees can certainly be a wonderful way to live. You can enjoy the shade in the summer, beautiful colors in the fall and spring, plus have curb appeal that’s unbeatable. If the trees are really close to your home, you may have experienced the occasional scratching of a tree branch on your window when it’s windy outside.
If the tree is that close, however, you could be in for some problems, down the road. Tree roots can grow into foundations, leading to major issues that are expensive to repair. Plus, trees can fill up gutters quickly, blocking them and causing the water to drain down the sides of your home, leading to the growth of mold. If you notice trees are getting too close, hire a tree care company to prune them to prevent any contact between your home and the trees.
On the Lookout
Typically, quirks that pop up in your home can be recognized as hazards when they exhibit themselves in a different manner than usual, such as the changing sounds of creaks and pops mentioned above. So long as you pay fairly close attention to your home, it’s likely you’ll be able to tell if a quirk you notice is no big deal or something that needs some professional attention. Of course, if you’re ever in doubt, it’s always a good idea to get a second opinion to ensure you and your family remain safe and sound.
