subject: Water Damage Isn't Always Obvious: Take Precautions Before You Buy a Property [print this page] Water Damage Isn't Always Obvious: Take Precautions Before You Buy a Property
Water damage doesn't always require Wellies, it isn't restricted to flash floods, or coming home after your holiday to find your bath in your kitchen. Water damage can be invisible, which is why before you buy a property it is important to get it fully checked over by a trusted surveyor
Mould is the greatest hidden enemy of a property, and as mould can only thrive in damp conditions, it cannot exist without water damage. Not only can it affect the look and smell of your home (yuck) but it is also a health and safety hazard. At best toxic mould can make your eyes itchy and a cough. At worst it can give you asthma, and other serious lung problems. Mould has even been researched and experimented on for use as a biological weapon! Structural damage is another serious implication of mould and extensive water damage. These problems are not untreatable, but water damage repairs can be costly and a nuisance and can vastly impact the price and saleability of a property.
When inspecting a property keep an eye out for signs of water damage.
1. Touch the walls: See if they are soft or damp. Look for grey spots and look behind furniture.
2. Use your sense of smell; is it musty? The mould may be deep within the walls.
3. Check the plumbing: Do the toilets, baths, sinks show any signs of leakage?
4. Look up: Do the ceilings show signs of water damage? Are there brown patches? Any visible drips or leaks?
5. Look down: Check under rugs and mats for stains and signs of mould.
6. Go up: Is the loft in good repair
7. Go out: Check the outside walls. Mould is often naturally occurring on brickwork, but check for wall cracks and rotten wood. Wooden windowsills and doorsills are particularly vulnerable to water damage.
8. Go around: If you are buying a flat or terrace, what is the state of the adjoining properties?
If you do find any of these symptoms it is not a lost cause. Get the problems inspected by a trusted professional who can advise you of how extensive the damage may be and how much the necessary repairs typically cost. It is worth taking every eventuality into consideration when you are making one of the biggest decisions of your life.
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