Checking Property For Fire Or Water Damage Before Buying

Are you looking to buy a new property in Fort Myers for yourself or your business? Fort Myers is a beautiful little paradise to live in, but there are a few factors you need to consider before buying a property to keep you safe from fire or water damage. Fort Myers weather is high in humidity, and it experiences constant tropical storms and hurricanes. So you must know how to check for fire or water damage in a property. 

If you buy a property without properly inspecting it first, it could result in a huge loss of investment for you if the property was previously damaged by fire or water. Fire or water-damaged properties could have huge underlying problems that you might not be able to spot easily. For this reason, it is always a good idea to get the property you might be thinking of purchasing inspected by professionals.  

We always recommend having professionals inspect a property for fire and water damage as they know exactly what to look for and where to find it.  

Checking for Fire Damage 

Cracks in the Outer Walls 

The high temperatures that take place during a home fire can cause the house’s exterior walls to crack. These cracks also let moisture seep deep into the home’s frame, structure, and insulation. Always check for fissures and cracks on the exterior materials. 

Deformed or flexed flooring, frames, and trims 

The process of putting out a large house fire requires a lot of water. This water can cause many indoor wooden surfaces like window trims, door frames, and floor tiles to warp or buckle.  

Moisture in Basement Walls  

Basements always take on a lot of water during the fire-stopping process. Check the basement walls for dampness and also molds. If there are signs of mold, we would advise you to get the help of our professional mold removal for safe mold remediation. 

Damage Hidden in the Plumbing 

The extreme heat during a house fire can completely wreck the home’s internal plumbing. It can melt the PVC pipes and also cause damage to the soldering of copper pipes. The signs of this damage are hard to spot for the average person, but they show up as stains or water spots on the ceilings or walls. You should always get the help of a professional plumber to ensure the house’s plumbing has no signs of fire damage. 

Mold Outbreaks 

The post-fire water damage creates perfect conditions for mold to grow. Toxic black molds can thrive in these conditions and spread dangerous spores throughout the property. Ensure to check crawl spaces, attics, walls, and the framing for mold outbreaks. Always call professionals like our team at 911 Restoration of Fort Myers to safely get rid of toxic mold. 

Checking for Water Damage 

Water Stains 

Of course, the most obvious sign of water damage. Stains and discolorations on the walls, floors, and ceilings are telltale signs of water damage. Inspect the surface of all the walls and ceilings, especially the corners where they both meet. 

There can also be water damage behind the walls. Look for peeling paint or wallpaper or cracks in the wall itself. Ceilings can start bulking up, which is a sign of serious water damage, and you should call restoration professionals immediately.  

Check pipes with a flashlight

Check the plumbing pipes by shining a flashlight down them. Water damage shows up as corrosion in the pipes. Even small leaks can cause a lot of damage over time and make the water bills higher.

Use your Feet 

Walk around the home barefoot can also help you detect water damage in the home. Walk barefoot on carpets to detect moisture and on floor coverings to feel if they are warped or slightly buckled. Signs like these could indicate bigger problems like water-damaged subflooring.  

Listen for water leaks

Walk around the property and listen for water dripping. If you hear any dripping water, there is a leak in the home. And if that leak has been there for a long time, there is a high chance the property has water damage.  

Damp and Humid Smells 

Using your nose is one of the best ways to detect water damage. The smell of excess moisture or humidity in the walls, floors, or carpets can lead you to leaks or other water damage. Also, if there is an odor of damp rotting eggs, it is a sure sign there is mold present in the home. Make sure to walk around the house and concentrate on your sense of smell to detect any signs of water damage. 

Inspect the Basement and Foundation 

Basements can soak up a lot of water and should be inspected thoroughly. Also, make sure to walk outside of the property and inspect the foundation. Cracks or crumbling foundation is a sure sign of a plumbing leak in the home. 

911 Restoration of Fort Myers 

If you are looking to purchase a property in Fort Myers, give 911 Restoration a call at (239) 322-1217 now! Our team is expertly trained, and IICRC certified to inspect your property thoroughly and completely for all fire, water, and mold damage. We are available 24/7, every day of the year, to provide you with any fire or water damage inspection and restoration services you might need.