5 Common Signs of a Poorly Maintained House

Sharing is caring!

Our house is a bit of a money pit, it had one previous owner and was built in the 1930s. Pretty much everything needs replacing. If you’re moving into a new house, there are some signs you can look out for to see if it was poorly maintained. Make a checklist when you’re looking at new properties, and if there’s any work needing doing, factor that into the budget. Trust me, you’ll be grateful you did. You may even want to consider hiring the likes of C&A Surveyors if you plan on making some construction improvements in the future, like adding an extension. You may need to do some repairs to keep the structure from further deteriorating, and in this article, I look at some of the signs to look for as well as their solutions.

The Walls are Discoloured

When water damage has occurred, you will see the tell-tale sign of a wall that has a brownish tinge and a possibly puffy appearance to it. If this has been untended, the house may have mould growing in or underneath the area, and this can be difficult to eradicate.

You will need to clean the area while wearing a mask and protective covering, and if it is more than surface deep, you may need to hire a professional to do the job. In addition, you will need to discover the source of the leak. Hiring an experienced Plumber to take a look and see if they can identify where the leak is coming from is essential. The longer you ignore signs of water damage, the worse the problem may become. Possible culprits are the roof, the water heater, bathtub, and the sink. Sometimes it’s poor ventilation and condensation.

You See Evidence of Pests

If you see infestation signs of mice or bugs, the damage could go deeper than what meets the eye. Typically, there will be a foul odour, small holes at the bottom of the wall, tears in the carpet, and fecal matter on the floor. Remember my parent’s rat problem? To get rid of mice, you can set traps or bait stations, and you can also try to use natural means, like humane traps, creating sprays to deter the mice from staying. If all else fails, an exterminator would be your next choice.

Other pests that show a house to be in a state of neglect are ants. You can buy certain over-the-counter sprays, and traps or you can hire professional help to fix this problem.

Appliances That Are Not in Working Condition

It is the duty of every homeowner to keep their dishwashers, stoves, washers, and dryers in good, working order. When a homeowner fails to do this, the machinery can break down from the wear and tear they are subject to from daily use. It can cause you big problems if these don’t work, as it could lead to leaks, water damage, or possibly a fire. These items however can be repaired, and you can find an appliance repair specialist online that will take care of your broken appliances.

The Exterior is A Mess

Rubbish outside is a dead giveaway that the residents of the house in question have not put sufficient time and effort into maintaining their home. The garden should generally be free of debris, and the grass should be neatly cut. Bushes and shrubbery should not be out of control, and their branches need to be pruned for the health of the plant. Trees need to be tended to, and weeds need to be cleared from the walkways. You know the type, with a mattress or sofa outside.

This is generally a simple fix, though not necessarily an easy one. You have the option of hiring a landscaper or of getting out your wheelbarrow, gloves, and trimmers and doing some landscaping yourself.

Electrical and Wiring Problems

Electrical systems should be inspected every few years with the help of a professional electrician, or immediately if you notice signs of electrical problems like sparking outlets or burning smells. Additionally, if there are fuses in sight, particularly burned-out ones, your home may have insufficient wiring. Another thing to look for is extension cords everywhere. You should leave it to your inspector to go deeper into the condition of your home’s wiring, and if there is a problem, this is something you’ll need an electrician to take care of for you.

Look out for some of these signs the next time you go house-hunting, or if any of them sound familiar – carry out some of the solutions to get them sorted. I know our hearts rule our heads when it comes to house hunting, and the best-laid plans go awry, or we take on a fixer-upper because it’s the perfect location. Big things like windows, central heating, kitchens, and bathrooms are more expensive to fix. If those are okay then the rest can usually be sorted out.

Disclosure: collaborative guest post.

Thank you for reading - if you enjoyed this content, please consider buying me a coffee here or browse my Amazon wishlist I really appreciate your support and it helps to keep the site running and for my time 🙂

Sharing is caring!