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Buying a property is likely to be the biggest purchase you will make during your lifetime, so it’s vital to make sure everything is in order before you finalise contracts. A house or flat might look perfect on the surface, but unfortunately hidden problems such as damp or fungi are not always obvious at first glance. These types of issues can have a major impact on both your health and the integrity of the property, so it’s essential to carry out checks before you buy. See below for a few of the most common problems, and why it’s so important to identify them before it’s too late.
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Damp occurs in a building when there’s a buildup of moisture that can’t escape, and it can cause a range of health problems as well as structural damage to the property. The most thorough way to check for damp issues is by hiring a professional to carry out a structural survey before you buy. They can check for rising damp, structural cracks, penetrating damp and other related issues. When viewing a property, pay particular attention to the basement, floorboards, bathroom and walls as these are the most common areas where damp might occur. Peeling wallpaper or faded paint, a ‘spongy’ floor texture and condensation or mould on walls are all signs that damp is present.
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There are several types of insect that can cause extensive wood damage, including beetles, moths and wood worm. This issue is obviously more common in homes with a lot of timber, and signs of infestation include small, round holes in wooden areas, crumbling edges on joists and dust or debris near wooden furniture. Damage caused by wood boring insects can quickly spread to other areas of the property and cause major structural damage, so it’s important to deal with it as soon as possible.
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This refers to any species of fungus that infests moist wood, causing it to rot. The most common types that occur in homes are wet rot and dry rot, both of which can cause major damage.
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Dry rot is a type of fungi which digests the part of the wood that gives it strength and firmness. It occurs more commonly in poorly ventilated buildings, and early warning signs include fungus on the wood, wood that is cracked, shrunken or dried out and a damp aroma even when the wood is not wet.
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Wet rot isn’t as serious as dry rot but it can still cause problems, and occurs when wood is exposed to moisture and damp for an extended period of time. Signs to look for include cracked timber, fungus or mould, discoloured wood or a damp, stale smell.
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If you’ve purchased a property and encountered any of the problems above, give North Yorkshire Remedials a call. Our damp proofing specialists have over 35 years of experience dealing with a range of problems including damp, woodworm, wet and dry rot. Call us today on 01765 692154 or visit our website so we can get your home back to its best.
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