There’s nothing more stressful than trying to sell your house, having it appraised for the right price, and then discovering that it needs major repairs. Water damage is one of the most common problems for houses trying to sell. After all, who doesn’t cringe at the thought of a leaky roof?
The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce the impact of water damage on your house. Whether it’s from a broken pipe or a natural disaster, water damage creates an expensive problem for homeowners everywhere.
Thankfully, with some careful preparation and research, you can mitigate the effects of water damage before putting your home on the market.
There are several things that you can do preemptively to lower the cost of repair and make this process easier when it inevitably occurs. These strategies will keep you from losing money on your property and help you sell faster.
First Things First
It’s no secret that one of the most stressful things about selling your house is worrying about all the things that could go wrong. One of the big things you’ll need to worry about is water damage. Water damage can come from a number of sources, including:
- Leaking pipes
- Heavy rains
- A broken water heater
- A clogged toilet
Water damage can be a real problem when selling your house because it can:
- Make your house unsightly
- Cause mold to grow
- Make your house harder to sell
If you’re selling your house and you think there may be water damage, there are a few things you can do to try and mitigate the problem.
Check for Leaks
The first thing you’ll want to do is check for any leaks. Leaks can be small and hard to spot, so it’s important to check both the inside and outside of your house. Check all the faucets, pipes, and toilets for any leaks. If you have a leak, it’s important to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Check for Mold
Mold can be a big problem when selling your house because it can make your house harder to sell. Mold is often caused by water damage, so if you have water damage, it’s vital that you check for mold. Mold can often be found in damp or dark areas, so be sure to check any areas that seem damp or are difficult to reach.
Clean Up Any Water Damage
If you do have water damage, it’s important to clean it up as soon as possible. Water damage can cause mold to grow, so the sooner you clean it up, the better. You’ll want to use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any water from the affected area.
Once you’ve removed all the water, you’ll need to dry the area completely. This can be done with a fan or by opening up the windows.
Repair Any Damage
Once you’ve cleaned up the water damage, you’ll need to repair any damage that was caused by the water. This may include replacing drywall, painting, or other repairs. If the damage is extensive, you may want to consider hiring a professional to help with the repairs.
Prevent Future Water Damage
Once you’ve repaired the water damage, it’s important to take steps to prevent it from happening again. Some things you can do to prevent water damage include:
- Fixing any leaks
- Adding a sump pump
- Installing a backflow valve
These are just a few of the things you can do to deal with water damage before selling your house. Water damage can be a big problem, but by taking some precautionary steps, you can minimize the damage and make your house easier to sell.
If you have any questions about water damage or selling your house, be sure to contact a professional. They can help you assess the damage and make the best decisions for your situation.
You may also need to take additional—and more drastic—steps to get your house ready to sell. While the following are more expensive fixes, they may be necessary in order to successfully sell your home.
Install New Roofing
If your roof is damaged, it likely needs to be replaced. Otherwise, you’ll have a recurring problem that will get more expensive each time it happens. A new roof has many benefits outside of stopping water damage. It can increase the value of your home, improve the aesthetics of your neighborhood, and increase your energy efficiency.
In addition to keeping out water, you’ll also need to be sure that your roof can support the weight of extra snowfall in the winter. Many sellers try to “quick-fix” their roofs with shingles that don’t match their house.
This is a mistake!
Not only is this a bad aesthetic choice, but it also lowers the value of your home and makes it harder to sell. To avoid this, make sure you choose a shingle that blends in with your house. Visit a few local roofing companies to get estimates on how much a new roof will cost. Ask them about special offers for new roofs.
Repair Your Foundation
If you have a crack in the foundation of your house, you’ll need to quickly deal with this issue. Cracks in your foundation are obvious signs of water damage that need to be addressed. These cracks can be caused by a few different issues, from poor soil to a heavy tree root system. If you’re serious about selling your house, you’ll want to get this problem resolved.
Some property insurance providers will cover the costs of foundation repair, but only if the crack is a specific size and depth. If your crack is smaller, you may need to pay out of pocket for the repairs. The good news is that a lot of types of foundation problems can be repaired.
It’s often cheaper to repair a problem than it is to replace a section of your foundation. To repair your foundation, get a quote from a local contractor. Be sure to ask about foundation repair.
Install New Windows
If your windows are damaged to the point that they’re letting in water, replacing them is a must. Plus, it will improve the appeal of your house. It can also increase your energy efficiency and help lower your monthly energy bills.
Getting new windows installed before you put your house on the market can be a huge benefit. If you have single-pane windows, you’ll want to replace them with dual-pane windows. You can also check for a window with a Low-E coating, which is helpful for insulating your home.
Depending on the quality and size of the windows you choose, this project can cost anywhere between $800 and $5,000. You can get financing for new windows, but only if you’re selling your house. Make sure to buy high-quality windows to get the most value from this renovation.
Protect Your Walls
If your walls are damaged, it can be a quick fix. You can follow these steps to protect your walls:
- Remove the water as soon as possible
- Clean the walls with a mixture of baking soda, water, and vinegar
- Apply drywall patches to cover any holes or damage
- Sand and repaint the walls
Water-damaged walls are a sure sign that there’s something more serious going on. Whether it’s an internal plumbing problem or an exterior issue that’s allowing water into your home, this is something you need to address right away.
Consider hiring a home inspector to examine your house. They will create a report that details everything wrong so that you can take steps to resolve each issue.
Dry Out the Basement
When a pipe breaks or you have a natural disaster, the water will likely drain down to the basement. This can cause a lot of damage to your house, including ruining carpet, furniture, and appliances. There are a few ways to dry out a basement:
- Drain the water out of the basement
- Hire a professional company to dry out the basement
- Pump the water out of the basement
Depending on the level of the basement’s water damage, you’ll need to act quickly. The faster you start cleaning up the water, the easier the job will be.
Want to Avoid Expensive Repairs? Call BiggerEquity
It’s no secret that selling your house can be a stressful process, especially when you have to worry about fixing water damage issues first. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could bypass all of those repairs and save money in the process?
Thanks to BiggerEquity, you can do just that! We are a real estate solutions company that buys houses in any condition.
In fact, we will make you an all-cash offer for your house regardless of its current condition so that you can avoid having to make any repairs. BiggerEquity will take care of the entire process for you so that you can focus on other things.
If you are selling your house and would like to avoid having to deal with water damage repairs, simply contact us today for more information about how we can help you! We’re ready to make you a real cash offer!