Three Problems Around the House and How to Fix Them

The pleasure of owning a house has to sometimes be balanced with the effort required to maintain it in good condition. From removing marker pen scribbles on the walls or wine stains out of carpets, to clogged drains and shower mold, homeowners soon developed their own way of keeping everything under control. Sometimes, however, the problems go beyond your abilities and you'll need to call in specialists. Read on to learn about three common household problems and how to resolve them.

Water worries

According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, by far the most common problem encountered with properties is a lack of proper drainage due to improper grading. Ideally, a home should be designed so that water runs away from the foundation by when this does not happen, water can puddle at the foundation walls and cause a host of water-related issues.

Such homes may flood during heavy rainfall and suffer from damp and become infested with mold. In the worst-case scenario, foundation or basement walls may first crack and then continue to deteriorate until there is serious structural damage to the property. If you have purchased a property and the owner was aware of drainage issues but failed to disclose them, you may be able to take legal action against them.

Regrading requires the removal of all the topsoil from the problem area and careful adjustment of the subsoil underneath so that the ground slopes away from your home in all directions. Unless your property is extremely small, adjusting the grading will require the assistance of heavy equipment and a landscaping contractor.

Pest infestations

There is no foolproof way to prevent pests from getting into your home, but while their presence may sometimes be nothing more than an occasional nuisance, the presence of large numbers of insects or the sight of a single rodent could point to a more serious infestation.

The first decision is whether to tackle the problem by yourself or to call in a specialist firm. While setting up a rodent trap or taking a can of bug spray to a line of ants marching across a wall may provide some temporary relief, more pests are likely to be lurking nearby. Professional pest controllers such as cheltenhampestcontrol.co.uk have access to specialized equipment that enables them to eradicate a pest problem entirely, rather than simply treating the most visible elements of it.

Wiring problems

If you live in an older home, you're likely to be very familiar with the issue of having too many gadgets to plug in and not enough outlets to plug them into. Although using extension cords and power strips provides a temporary solution to the problem, the explosion in the number of appliances in use means that, behind the scenes, the wiring in your home may be struggling to cope with the additional load.

You may be suffering from a range of related problems, such as lights flickering when it's windy (a sign of frayed wiring) or circuit breakers tripping on a regular basis. Potential hazards from such dated wiring include both fire and electrocution, so it's a good idea to call in a licensed electrician to go over every inch of your home and see what work needs to be done. For total peace of mind, it's a good idea to use an electrician that has been recommended by family or friends.