- 1). Look for signs of water damage. Check for wet insulation and mold in the attic. Gently poke an awl or small screwdriver in the floor joists and flooring from below the house. If the awl penetrates the wood easily, this may indicate water damage.
- 2). Check for foundation problems. Look for doors and windows that don't close properly or have gaps around frames. This can indicate a shift in the home's foundation. Look for cracks in ceilings, walls and floors.
- 3). Visually inspect floors for obvious signs of buckling or cracking. Place a level in the center of the floor. Slanted, buckled or cracked floors can indicate water or foundation damage.
- 4). Check the roof for cracked, buckled, rotted or warped shingles. This can result from improper attic ventilation or water damage. Check the ridge line for signs of structural damage. A crooked ridge line can suggest a shifted foundation.
- 5). Check for insect damage around windowsills and door frames. Wet, rotted wood encourages insects to burrow and nest. This causes further damage to floor joists, floors and walls.
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