Household Whistle Blowers

Protect your investment by knowing the signs. These household maladies can tip you off that there's a different (and sometimes bigger) problem lying underneath the surface!

Misaligned Doors and Windows
According to the National Association for Waterproofing and Structural Repair Contractors, "Doors that stick and squeak?Separation of door sills from frames? [And] Windows that stick" are all listed as indicators of foundation problems. If your home has a single door or window that is misaligned, there's probably little need to worry; however, when sticking doors and windows come en masse, it's a good time to call in a pro.

Musty Smells/ Watermarks
In "Housewrecked," a well known article published by Consumer Reports in 2004, water stains and musty odors can very well be telltale signs of several larger problems including improperly installed roofing, holes in siding, and a lack of flashing around penetrations and joints. In some cases, watermarks and musty smells are indicators of mold growth, which is decidedly bad for your home, and may be bad for your health, too!

Two-Pronged Outlets
While many of us have lit many a room and powered many an appliance with two-pronged power outlets, the fact is the time for these relics has passed. Two-pronged outlets aren't necessarily killers waiting to pounce, but there's a reason why modern codes require grounded, three-prong outlets in new buildings. There's no real problem associated with plugging two-pronged plugs into two pronged outlets; the real problem is that so many of today's devices require three prongs. Altering the plug of a device to fit your old sockets can be dangerous, and even using an adapter to make a three-prong plug two-prong compatible can lead to damage and even increase the odds of electric shock. If your home is filled with two-prong outlets, the time to upgrade is now!

Noisy Plumbing
Noisy plumbing can be a nuisance, but if you listen with the right ears, it may be giving you some very valuable info on the inner-workings of your home. For instance, consistent gurgling noises in your plumbing could be an early warning sign of septic system trouble. Whistling or squealing plumbing can indicate a malfunctioning valve or a build up of mineral deposits in your pipes. A banging, clanging sound when you turn on a faucet or an appliance such as a washing machine or dishwasher is known as "water hammer," which can prematurely age your faucets, fixtures, and valves.

Peeling Paint
When you see paint peeling, the first and most obvious response for many of us is to repaint; however peeling paint may be a sign that there is a deeper problem that will make that next coat a waste of time and money. Paint is meant to protect as well as look pretty, and when paint peels, you can lose more than good looks. The paint on the outside of your house protects the material underneath it from the elements, and when it peels, those materials are likely to age at an accelerated rate; according to a 1995 New York Times article, exterior peeling paint may also indicate a leak in your roof. Peeling paint on the inside of your home can also be an indicator of moisture issues and is often present where mold is likely to take hold.

The Bottom Line
Though these seemingly benign household ailments might indeed be innocuous, the fact is that in certain cases, the deeper problem they speak of is well worth nipping in the bud. While it might be unsettling to find that the musty smell you were expecting to fix with a $3.00 air freshener will actually cost you $2,500 in mold removal, the money you save by not having to replace an entire wall of your house (not to mention possible medical bills) is definitely a trade worth making!