Home improvement projects come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, it’s as easy as investing in some new decor, or perhaps splashing a new coat of paint on the wall. In other instances, though, you’ve got to do some demolition, knocking down a wall or tearing into the flooring so you can get your property ready for its new look.
We’re not going to lie: Demolition can be a lot of fun! It can even be therapeutic! With that said, it’s always, always messy. And sometimes, it can come with some unwelcome surprises.
In this post, we’re going to outline some of those surprises. It’s best to be prepared for any of the following… though hopefully, you’ll never actually see any of them.
6 Unwelcome Demolition Surprises
Structural Issues
Open floor plans have never been more popular, and it’s for just that reason that many homeowners are eager to tear down some walls. The problem is, some of those walls may actually be important for upholding the structure of your home.
The absolute last thing you want to do is start knocking down a wall, only to discover that it supports a load-bearing beam. If you reach that point, you’re officially in danger of part of your house collapsing. And while the problem can be resolved, it may be quite expensive to do so.
Before you knock into any walls, verify that you’re not getting rid of a structure that you truly need for the integrity of your house.
Flooring Problems
One common DIY project is tearing up the old flooring to make room for a new floor.
There are a couple of potential problems you can run into here. The first is dry rot, which basically refers to moisture built up in your flooring. This is a massive problem that can actually compromise the structural integrity of your home, so you’ll want to deal with it ASAP.
Another possible complication is that there are several layers of flooring, one on top of the other, that need to be torn up. This is especially common in older houses that have been through multiple renovations. It’s not the end of the world, but it can certainly complicate your DIY project.
Creepy Crawlies
Yes, it’s possible that once you start tearing into walls and floors, you could find that you’re not alone in your home.
The most obvious culprit is termites, which may be nesting in a wall without you knowing it. There’s also a chance that you could be abiding with a family of mice without even realizing it. If you uncover their nest, it will be gross, to put it mildly.
If you run into critters, you’re obviously going to want to call pest control ASAP, which may mean a slight delay in your home renovation.
Electrical Problems
Generally speaking, when you tear into a wall, you don’t want to find live wires behind it.
But it happens sometimes, despite your best efforts to avoid it. Then, in order to ensure safety and comply with local building codes, you may be left with no choice but to enlist the expertise of a professional electrician.
Needless to say, it’s best to plan your demolition projects for walls where you’re pretty sure there aren’t any electrical set-ups.
Pipes
Along the same lines: What happens when you start ripping into a wall and accidentally tear into a pipe of some kind?
Worst case scenario? You flood your house.
Best case scenario? You have a slight plumbing complication to deal with before moving on with your project.
Mold
Hopefully, you don’t have any mold growing in your home. If you do, and if you come across it, it’s imperative to have it mediated right away. It’s not just ugly and gross, but it can be a real health hazard to you and your whole family. Plus, the presence of mold means there’s probably a moisture issue for you to address.
House Selling Tips from SOLD.com
Those are our picks for the most unwelcome demolition surprises. We hope you’ve found this helpful. One more note: If you’re looking to get your home sold, and want some customized house selling tips, we welcome you to request your free seller’s report. It will give you the blueprint you need for getting your place sold ASAP!
