Nigerians were hit by the story of yet another house collapsing over the weekend.
The uncompleted building collapsed on Saturday afternoon at No. 16, Akanbi Crescent, off Adesina Street, Harvey, Yaba.
It took the combined team of officials of NEMA, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria Police Force, and the Fire Service about 24 hours to get under the rubble of the three-story building.
As at the time of filing this report the death toll stood at 5, with people hospitalised.
Every time you hear about a tragic building collapse, you may wonder if your own home is safe. Therefore, The News Beam has compiled signs you should watch out for.
Here are a few warning signs that indicate you should schedule repairs:
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1. Sticky, jerky, or difficult to open or close windows and doors
There can be changes in how doors and windows fit in their frames over time, but it shouldn’t happen throughout your home. A house with multiple doors or windows not opening and closing properly may have weakened foundations or soil underneath a slab foundation that can no longer support the weight of the house.
2. There are cracks in the wall
There’s nothing wrong with a little crack in your house’s foundation, but if you can see through to the other side you’ve got a much bigger problem. If a crack is large enough to allow daylight through, it can indicate a more serious issue, such as severe foundation shifting
3. Walls are uneven
Old houses have all kinds of quirks, but uneven walls shouldn’t be among them. Uneven walls can be a sign of a foundation issue—or a sign that an unscrupulous builder has tried to ineffectively fix the problem.
4. Walls that are warped or swollen
Walls that are warped may indicate that the drywall has absorbed water and is swelled. The damaged area deteriorates over time, then crumbles.
5. Others:
- A crack in a vinyl or tile floor
- Basement or crawl space walls that are cracked or bowing
- The soil has started to pull away from exterior walls or it is
- A floor that slopes to one side or sags in the middle
- Mold on the exterior walls where the roof meets
- Changing cabinet positions
