5 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore in Your Home

We all want to take good care of our homes and ensure that our space is as safe, comfortable, and inviting as possible, but despite our best efforts, things can and do go wrong around the house.

The sooner we can identify and deal with any issues that arise in the home, the less serious, not to mention costly, they are likely to be over time. With that in mind, here are 5 warning signs that all may not be well with your home, that you should never ignore:

1. Doors and windows that stick

If your doors and windows start to stick, it could just be a sign that they need oiled, but it could also be an early warning sign that you have a termite infestation as their presence causes wood to expand, and therefore stick. A timely termite treatment will save you a lot of worry and even more money should it prevent the little terrors from taking hold of your home completely. So, it’s always a good idea to call a professional in as soon as you think you may have a problem.

2. Lots of lint

If there is an excessive amount of lint in your dryer after doing a load, don’t just shrug it off because it could be a sign that your dryer vent is clogged, and this is a very real fire risk. Another key sign that the vent is clogged is when it takes much longer to dry a load than it used to, so be on the alert.

3. Puddles of water

If there are puddles of water around your home, but no leaks, it does not mean you can safely ignore the problem. This is a warning sign that there is too much moisture in your home, and if you do not do something about it, you could end up with dampness and mold which are bad for your health and bad for the structural integrity of your home too. Buy a dehumidifier and see if that helps. If not, call out a professional to assess the issue.

4. Cracks in the foundation

Cracks in the foundations are potentially very serious, so the worst thing you can do is ignore a huge crack, It will get bigger and bigger and your home will become more and more unsafe if you do.

Cracks could be a sign that water is pooling from your gutters or pipes and causing instability in the ground below, so check your pipework, and clean the gutters. Also consider calling in a surveyor to check that the damage has not caused significant issues for the house’s foundations.

5. Flickering lights

Flickering lights are a warning sign that all might not be well with your home’s wiring. When wires are old or overloaded, the lights will often go on and off at random. This is a problem you will need to deal with swiftly because bad electrics can cause a fire.

If you spot any of these telltale signs, be sure to take action as soon as possible or your home, and your family, could be at risk.