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New Home Nightmares (And How to Avoid Them) Part 2

Nightmare #5 Plumbing Problems
Long ago, Homes were built with galvanized steel water pipes and cast iron waste pipes, and both are known to deteriorate over time.Yuck! Unfortunately, leaky pipes can cause all types of problems, including drywall damage, wood rot, and mold buildup. If you’re in house shopping mode, always be sure to check under all sinks before buying to see if you can spot copper and PVC pipes and stop valves, a sign that the plumbing has been upgraded, since newer plumbing systems will have copper water pipes and PVC waste pipes. Cost to repair/replace $500.00 to $600.00 for a few minor repairs; several thousand dollars for major replacements.
Nightmare #6 Creepy Crawlers
Pests can be a pain when they’re the kind that can chew through wood and cause structural damage. Some common wood destroying insects are termites, carpenter bees, carpenter ants and certain beetles. Hard to spot (and trap) on your own, you’ll need to hire an inspector to check the home thoroughly before you buy and after if you suspect any problems. Cost to repair/replace; a few hundred if caught very early, to potentially tens of thousands if unsuspected.
Nightmare #7 Roofing Blues
Waking up to find shingles littering the yard or a waterfall inside your house is a total freak show. While roofs can last 20 years or more depending on what they are made of, a lack of maintenance by the prior owners means you’ll have to repair or replace things much sooner. If you haven’t purchased the home yet, take note when you look: loose or missing shingles, small leaks, dark spots or gutters filled with gravel are giveaways of roofing gone wrong. Cost to repair/replace; $18000.00 for a new roof, less for spot repairs.
Nightmare #8 Damp Dangers
Hate to tell ya, but the roof isn’t the only place where water can get in. H2O can also seep into basements or come in around windows and cause mold and rot. While mold can be treated with specially formulated products, if left unchecked it can really rot wood structures. Treat mold and fix leaks pronto to prevent more severe problems. Cost to repair/replace: $200.00 to $300.00 for do-it-yourself mold removal kits found at home stores; tens of thousands of bucks for a severe problem with rotted structures.
How to avoid these nightmares……coming soon from the St. Louis Handyman!