How to Know if There Is Structural Damage to a Home

Outside the Home

• 1

  Put on the rubber gloves and protective eyewear.

• 2

  Survey the outside of the home for obvious damage, such as leaning or swaying walls or a sagging roof. Check the roof for missing shingles.

• 3

  Check the outside walls with a carpenter's level to make sure that they are completely vertical.

• 4

  Examine the spot where the home meets the foundation. Look to see if the home has shifted from its original spot.

• 5

  Scan for cracks in stone or brickwork, if the exterior of the building contains masonry. Pay special attention to the areas around doors and windows.

• 6

  Call a professional, such as a contractor, if you see any exterior signs of structural damage. Do not enter the home if you spot obvious signs of damage.

• 7

  Switch off outside gas lines and electrical breakers if the outside of the home appears free of structural damage. Let the home air out for several minutes to clear possible gas fumes. Contact your utility companies if the main switches are inside.

Inside the Home

• 8

  Enter the home with caution. Check carefully for electrical shorts and live wires and disconnect all power switches and breakers. Use a flashlight instead of an open flame as a source of light, since gas may be present.

• 9

  Study the interior for signs of damage to the roof, such as drooping ceilings, loose rafters or cracked roof trusses.

• 10

  Use a carpenter's level to check the vertical alignment of the walls. Open and close several doors and windows to see if they shut easily. If not, the walls may have shifted.

• 11

  Check the foundation for cracks.

• 12

  Get all utility systems, such as gas and power, checked and tested by a professional. Once all systems pass inspection, you may turn them on.