There are many issues that can affect housing in urban areas, with crowded spaces and a lack of maintenance leading to the need for costly repairs and maintenance. Both older and poorly maintained structures, as well as new and hastily built homes, may have problems that need extensive repairs in order to fix, and here is a list of the most common issues that you may encounter when you buy city housing.
Pests
Urban conditions such as warmer weather, the availability of food, and close living conditions ensure that pests are often more common in cities than in the countryside, with cities such as Philadelphia and Boston getting the most pest infestations in the US.
To ensure that your home does not fall victim to the reign of common city pests, from rats and mice, to ants and cockroaches, you should consider hiring a pest control service within your city to ensure that the pests within your home are eradicated by experts.
Click here to find out more about the services that pest control can give you, helping you to remove a variety of pests in a safe manner.
Structural Issues
Townhouses in the US are susceptible to structural problems caused by the sun. The sun causes the walls of town housing to expand and part, which is then followed by contraction to destabilize the structure of the property. Not only this, but townhouses in some US cities are affected by extreme weather, such as snow and storms, and this can damage their foundations and cause further structural issues.
You can check your home for issues by looking for gaps or cracks in your home’s exterior walls, or by checking to see whether your home is sinking.
Roof Damage
Roof damage is common within poorly maintained homes and, again, can be caused by serious weather events, such as lightning or hail. This can cause the tiles or shingle on your roof to loosen and crack, which can leave your roof vulnerable to leaks and water damage. To prevent this, you should use caulk or expanding foam to fix cracks in your roof or you should replace individual tiles.
Poor Electrics
More than half of homes in the US may have older electrical systems, which could leave homeowners vulnerable to electrical fires and power surges. To stop this from becoming a problem in your townhouse, you should rewire your electrics every 20 years to ensure that they are up-to-date with all of the latest safety features. You should always hire an electrician to perform these updates, as DIY electrical jobs can create hazards in your home.
Indoor Air Pollution
Recent research has suggested that indoor air may be more polluted than outdoor air due to the lack of regulation and ventilation within our homes. Then, it is vital that you work to decrease the amount of air pollution in your home to ensure that you reduce your risk of contracting lung diseases, such as cancer. You can do this by installing ventilation shafts and air vents, as well as air purifiers and even plants, within your home.
