Red Flags for Homeowners

Issues in your home are always best when caught early. The best way to spot the red flags of a potential problem is to rely on your senses and be alert. Always be equipped by taking a proactive approach to protecting yourself, your family, and your home. Here are the top 3 red flags that your home is unprotected and how the experts at Cingo handle them:

Strange Smells or Sounds

While pest infestations may be only one of the many challenges homeowners tackle, it's quite an expensive and dangerous one. Not only do they potentially carry diseases, but they can also damage the integrity of your home. Termites alone cost Americans an average of $5 billion each year in damage repairs. Ants, mosquitoes, roaches, and other pests also pose serious risks to your safety and your wallet.

Pests have distinct sounds, smells, and behaviors that if caught early, can help you prevent a whole slew of issues down the road. The top most common warning signs of an infestation are:

• Pest droppings - pests tend to leave behind signs of their presence that can tell you what pest is in your home and lead you to where they're nesting or entering.

• Smells of rotting or stale food - pests often carry off remnants of food that are then left to decompose.

• Strange sounds - Dripping faucets, the AC kicking on and off throughout the day, and the general hustle and bustle of your home aren't unusual. It's when scurrying, scratching, or chewing sounds become normal occurrences that you should have a pest professional check behind your walls.

Your senses are the best receptors to sourcing potential issues. Whether it's forgotten leftovers in the back of your fridge or a mildewed section of your carpet from a leak in your ceiling, pests of all kinds sense it too. Take initiative and remove whatever may be making your home attractive to pests.

Unprotected Entrances or Exits

One of the most empowering feelings as a homeowner is the freedom to choose what to do with your space, inside and out. However, entrances, exits, or any connection to the outdoors may be vulnerable areas in which pests and threats of all kinds can enter your space. This can be your garage, a window, the attic, or even outlets behind large machinery like your washing machine. Give these areas extra attention when cleaning or working around the house.

Pests need very little space to find their way into your home. Mice, for example, only need an opening the size of a pencil eraser. Strangers or potential burglars on the other hand, look for weaknesses on the exterior of your home, like faulty locks, open windows, and weak door frames to make their entrance.

Watch the Walls

Warped or uneven walls can indicate a plethora of problems. When your foundation is uneven or drywall absorbs water, walls can warp, crumble, and ultimately become hazardous to your safety. Not only do damaged walls mean you have existing issues, like water damage, they may also become perfect entry points for pests to make your home theirs.

Most warning signs should be caught during the initial home inspection, but some red flags only present themselves after you move in. Be the hero of your home by taking action before potential problems become reality. Get full protection and peace of mind that your comfort will never be sacrificed for safety with Cingo's home protection plan.