Home Health Checklist – Property Guide

The overall health of your home has such an impact that it can even affect the physical health of its occupants. For one, if you have moisture problems, you may also have mold, which can have a number of effects such as respiratory issues or worsening asthma. 

Your home’s health also determines the overall soundness of your property. Your building should be able to withstand the elements while maintaining its full structural integrity. 

To ensure excellent overall home health, you should complete regular inspections. You can start by using this checklist yourself, and then following up by calling your local experts for a free inspection. 

What Is a Healthy Property?

A healthy home starts with a healthy foundation, or with the home’s lower level. Since air flows upward from the lower level of your home, the air quality in your basement or crawl space directly influences the quality of air throughout the upper levels of your home. 

Similarly, your foundation has a significant impact on the health of your home. If there are cracks or issues within the foundation of your home, it could allow moisture or unwanted pests into your home, impacting the health and well-being of your home’s occupants. 

Ultimately, achieving a well-rounded, healthy home comes down to maintaining a healthy foundation, crawl space, basement, and any concrete areas around your property. 

Structural and Foundation Health

The overall health of your home starts from the bottom up, beginning with your property’s foundation and structural health. With that, your home’s foundation is vital to the health of you and your family. 

Issues with your foundation can cause issues for the overall health of your home. Inspect your home for these signs of foundation damage:

If you have any of these warning signs or issues with your home’s foundation, it’s time to get it checked out by an expert. Otherwise, your home can lose up to 30 percent of its market value due to damages. 

Crawl Space Health

Similarly, you have to look over the most sensitive areas of your home such as your crawl space. If you have issues in your crawl space, it’s likely that they will make their way into the upper levels of your home as well. 

For example, dampness and moisture in your crawl space can lead to the growth of mold, which can be harmful to your health and that of your family. 

Contact your local experts if you notice any of these crawl space problems:

Basement Health

One of the most common issues found in the basement of homes is moisture and water damage. For example, it can easily endure damages from floods or heavy rains. 

Unfortunately, if you go too long without a proper waterproofing solution, your basement damage could be irreparable. 

Check for these common warning signs of basement damages:

Without paying attention to these warning signs in your basement, you could suffer from damage that cannot be repaired. It’s vital to get damages inspected and a waterproofing solution implemented immediately.

Home Concrete Health

Lastly, it’s essential that you look over any concrete areas you have on your property. If your concrete slabs are uneven, cracking, heaving, or sinking, it’s time to contact a concrete repair expert. 

Some common concrete areas that you should inspect for damage include:

• Patio
• Garage
• Driveway
• Basement floor
• Sidewalk
• Pool deck

If cracking, uneven, or sinking concrete is found in these areas, it could cause a potential tripping hazard to you and your family. Along with that, issues within your concrete slabs may be closely linked to drainage issues within your property.To get a free inspection, contact your local foundation experts at AFS Foundation & Waterproofing Specialists, helping homeowners throughout Alabama and Tennessee.