You've found what could be the perfect house. It's in the perfect area, has the right number of rooms and a convenient layout, and is selling for an affordable price. There's just one hang-up: the house suffered some water damage in the past. Should you walk away because of this? Not necessarily, but you should certainly ask a lot of questions! Here are a few of them.

What caused the water damage?

Asking this question helps you determine if the home is likely to have a water problem again. Did the water come from a burst pipe, which has since been replaced to prevent the same issue? Was it the result of a heavy rainstorm and a failed sump pump? Maybe a toilet exploded upstairs. If the water damage was caused by a bigger issue that has been left unaddressed, such as a crack in the foundation, you may want to walk away from the home. On the other hand, if the homeowner made changes to prevent future flooding, you can keep considering the home.

Was the water damage professionally restored?

Be wary if the owners say they cleaned up the water damage themselves. Without the right equipment and procedures, it's easy to leave moisture behind, which can lead to a lasting mold problem. If the water damage was professionally addressed, you can be far more confident that the home is now clean and structurally sound. Ask to see a receipt or report to verify that the damage was addressed professionally.

Was the home structurally affected?

Sometimes water damage just causes damage to some drywall and a few decorative elements. Other times, it may cause more serious structural damage, such as rotting beams or deterioration of the roof. If the home was structurally affected by the water damage, then you need to have a knowledgeable inspector look it over and ensure all repairs were made properly. On the other hand, if the damage only affected elements like the carpet, drywall, and flooring, you don't have to be as wary. If the homeowners chose new carpet thatyou do not love, for example, replacing it is easy enough.

Most water damage is repairable, so you should not automatically shy away from buying a home that has suffered water damage in the past. Just make sure the cause has been dealt with, the home is structurally sound, and the damage was addressed professionally.

If there is still water damage, contact a water damage restoration company near you.

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