Structural upgrades are crucial in maintaining the integrity, safety, and longevity of your property. After all, buildings are prone to wear and tear from age. Over time, walls, beams, roofing, and other components need to be repaired, reinforced, or replaced to make them more structurally sound.
Disasters such as flooding or earthquakes can also weaken a building’s structure, which can require extensive upgrades to make it less vulnerable to future damage. Lastly, structural upgrades can be key to making a house or office building more energy efficient, which reduces utility costs and enhances the comfort of its occupants.
If your property is due for a structural upgrade, you’re going to need help from builders Dunedin residents and businesses can trust. Fortunately, you can rely on us here at SB2 Build to get the job done. We take great pride in providing quality craftsmanship in every job we do, making us one of the most highly recommended building companies for residential and light commercial building projects in the Otago region. Whether we’re working on new home builds, home renovations, or commercial fitouts, SB2 Build always puts our clients’ needs first and ensures our solutions are tailored to specific requirements.
With all that said, it’s important to know when you actually need to have your property’s foundational structures upgraded so you can take necessary measures on time. To help you in this regard, here’s a list of various signs you need to watch out for:
1. Visible Cracks in the Walls or Foundations
If you’re starting to notice large or expanding cracks on your property’s walls, ceilings, or foundations, then it might be time to look into structural upgrades. Often, cracks, particularly expanding ones, suggest movement within the property’s structure because of foundation settling, soil instability, or water damage. They can significantly weaken the structural integrity of your building and can even be a safety hazard if left unchecked. In this scenario, structural upgrades are essential to restore your property’s aesthetic appeal and also to prevent further damage to it.
2. Sagging or Uneven Floors
Does your flooring sag or creak when walked on? Is there a significant slope on its surface? Both could be a sign that your property has serious structural problems that need to be addressed. Some causes for sagging or uneven flooring include weakened structural components such as rotting beams or soil settlement beneath a building. Structural upgrades can help correct these deficiencies, ensuring that your home’s flooring is stable and won’t be dangerous to walk on.
3. Doors and Windows Won’t Close Properly
A door or window that suddenly feels difficult to open or close is more than just a mild inconvenience. Beyond faulty hinges that need a little oiling, this issue can be caused by your building’s frame shifting misaligning your doors and windows in the process. A licensed residential or commercial builder can thoroughly inspect your property and provide you with an idea of what level of structural upgrade may be necessary to correct your building’s framing issues.
4. Water Damage or Constant Dampness
Persistent water damage can be difficult and expensive to repair, not to mention it can also cause health risks. If you’re starting to see water stains, damp spots on walls or ceilings, or pooling water around the foundation of your property, it could be a sign of a compromised foundation. As the water damage spreads, it can also further compromise the structure of your building. Getting to the root of the problem early on and having the necessary structural upgrades done for your property can prevent costly repairs down the line.
5. Leaning or Tilting Walls
Another sign that your property has structural issues is if any of your walls appear to be leaning or tilting, which could signal that your walls or foundations aren’t capable enough to support the building’s load. Such issues typically happen when there’s a major change in your property—such as adding extra floors—that could add additional stress on your foundations, beams, and supports. Reinforcing beams or upgrading the foundation are some of the structural upgrades that can be applied to properly accommodate your property’s load.
6. Roof Problems or Sagging Rooflines
Signs of structural issues can also manifest on your property’s roof. For instance, a sagging or uneven roofline can be a sign of a failing roof structure caused by damaged trusses or beams, or insufficient support. If not repaired right away, it can lead to leaks, noticeable temperature differences between rooms caused by gaps in your roofline, or even roof collapse. Hiring professionals for a structural upgrade can ensure your roof’s structural integrity.
7. Fluctuating or High Utility Bills
At first glance, fluctuating or sudden spikes in your utility bills may seem unrelated to your building’s structure. However, structural issues such as poor insulation, leaks, or structural gaps can actually cause unnecessary strain on your heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system, hence the higher bills. After careful evaluation, structural upgrades can help fix these issues, improving your property’s energy efficiency and overall condition.
By recognising and addressing these issues promptly, you can avoid hefty repair costs while also ensuring the safety and longevity of your property. If you think your property’s in need of a structural upgrade, don’t hesitate to reach out to SB2 Build over at our website so we can walk you through the necessary upgrades for your home or commercial building.