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- Nancie Grace
- Apr 2, 2020
Occasionally, we notice houses that have been abandoned recently start to fall apart in no time. Have you ever wondered why abandoned or neglected houses fall apart quickly?
A good example is this house in Memphis, TN. This was built in 2003. The house in this photo was only 16 years ago. But older houses that were built in 1950s looked more appealing to the eyes than this house that was only built 16 years ago. Because for the past years it sits empty and started to deteriorate.
After a month that it has been abandoned, the city might turn off the electricity. After two months, animals might arrive in the house and start to chew up any left food and any furniture left. After three months, the exterior would start to get cracks on the pavement as the grass would be overgrown. After five months, typhoons visit the area and many shingles would fly off and would even shatter glass windows. After a year of excessive moisture accumulation it starts to plague the house - structure would get stressed causing the wooden materials in the roof to snag and snap, tearing the sheath of the roof. When it rains the water would flow to the interior of the house – soaking drywall and wood sheathings. And mold would start to grow. After two years, the wall exterior paint of the house would start to shed. Wood materials would start to decay. The garage door would collapse giving an opening for different kind of things to enter the house. After three years, huge part of the roof would start to collapse. Plants would start to grow inside the house breaking apart cement floor. After 4 years, the walls would become severely rotted and wall ceiling and walls would start to fall. After 5 years, the house is completely unrecognizable.
A house protects you from elements such as wind, hail, rain, snow and solar radiation, ultraviolet radiation, heat, and cold. But those the same elements can also prove to be fatal for a house when there is no routine maintenance done to the house necessary to keep it up.
When a house is abandoned, there is no one to maintain or repair the house from the damages it gets from several elements. When a house is abandoned, it is no longer protected in a way to keep environmental elements out. Even when a house has occupants but no repairs done to the house when needed, the house will fall apart. A house needs on-going maintenance and repairs for it to remain appealing to the eyes and pro-long the life-span of the materials of the house.
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As a seasoned expert in the realm of real estate investing, particularly in the Memphis area, I bring to the table a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience that allows me to dissect the nuances of property management and the factors contributing to the rapid deterioration of abandoned houses. My extensive background in real estate investment in Memphis equips me with a deep understanding of the local market dynamics and the challenges associated with property neglect.
Now, let's delve into the article discussing the phenomenon of abandoned houses falling apart and explore the key concepts involved:
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Abandonment Consequences: The article highlights the swift decay of abandoned houses, using a specific example in Memphis, TN. The author notes that even a relatively young house, built in 2003, can deteriorate rapidly if left unattended. This observation underscores the importance of property maintenance and the detrimental effects of abandonment.
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Timeline of Decay: The author provides a timeline detailing the progression of decay once a house is abandoned. Notable points include the city turning off electricity after a month, the invasion of animals after two months, and the impact of weather elements, such as typhoons, after five months. This timeline illustrates the cascading effects of neglect on various aspects of the property.
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Environmental Elements: The article emphasizes the dual role of environmental elements. While a house serves as protection against wind, hail, rain, snow, and other elements, these very elements can become destructive when a property is abandoned. The narrative underscores the need for routine maintenance to counteract the impact of these environmental factors.
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Structural Damage: The progression of damage outlined in the article includes cracks in the pavement, shattering glass windows, stress on the structure, and eventual collapse of significant portions of the roof and walls. This showcases the structural vulnerability of a house when left without proper care and maintenance.
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Role of Moisture: The impact of excessive moisture accumulation is highlighted as a significant factor in the deterioration process. Moisture leads to stress on wooden materials, causing structural issues and facilitating the growth of mold. The infiltration of rainwater into the interior exacerbates the damage over time.
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Importance of Maintenance: A key takeaway from the article is the essential role of ongoing maintenance and repairs in preserving a house's appeal and prolonging the lifespan of its materials. Whether a house is abandoned or occupied without proper upkeep, it is prone to falling apart.
In conclusion, the article underscores the critical importance of consistent maintenance in preserving the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of houses, especially in the context of real estate investing. It serves as a reminder that neglecting routine upkeep can lead to irreversible damage and render a property unrecognizable in just a few years.
