Our home might be the most comfortable and familiar place in our lives, but it's a building just like any other- and can suffer the same issues as any other structure. Issues from termites tearing apart the walls, to a drip leak from a water pipe, or even a pipe leak in the ceiling, can take hold without anyone knowing and wreak all kinds of havoc on your home. This is why it's so important to know what structural integrity means, how to maintain it and what kinds of warning signs to be aware of. You don’t have to be a building expert, you just need to know what the weak points of homes are and how to fix them when things go south.

Bulging walls

Can you see a slight bend to any of the walls in your home? Since walls are made up of individual bricks, and each one of them needs to support the neighbouring bricks around them. However over time if the mortar or cement are slowly eroded, it can mean that bricks become loose. The weight of the ceiling and the wall can cause bricks to slip out, just like a herniated disc in the spine. And just like the bulge in our spine, the walls will have a bend outward. If this is something you can spot, you should call in an expert to assess the dangers right away.

The system of veins

Every home has a system of veins, which is the heating and water pipes. Both are interconnected as the boiler needs to heat up the water and circulate it through the pipes which go all around the home. If you can hear or feel pressure being released or trying to release itself when you turn the taps, you may need to call in an expert. When you sell a home, you’ll need to call in an expert such as Allcott Associates who will check the quality of the drainage system and the heating system. They will also check the gas, oil and electric systems to see how they function and what their true costs are. Moreover, they can assess where something in the pipes is going wrong. 

Bowing ceiling

White ceilings can cover up faults pretty easily; any sagging or bowing might only be obvious from certain angles but if it happens it's a sign that there is some kind of structural damage lurking above. It could be a result of water damage, anything from a leaking shower or maybe a washing machine flooded your house if there were ever appliances on the upper levels. If the latter is true, you'll certainly want to get professionals on the job if you're looking to restore and repair your home after the water damage has done a number on it. Other causes could possibly be the support beams giving way but it could also be the weight of something taking its toll on the flooring.