J2 Building Consultants posted the video to its account where the siding was pried off of a house and, with a light push from the consultant, chunks of the barrier between the siding and the insulation crumbled off of the structure.
“[People] this is why you always hire an inspector even tho it’s 500-700 it’s better than losing thousands,” a commenter wrote.
The company’s TikTok account agreed with the commenter and recommended annual inspections on condominium buildings, apartments and houses.
When contacted by Newsweek, a representative from J2 Building Consultants declined to provide further comment but confirmed the damage was due to water damage.
An article written for Angi discussed water damage and what it might mean for a structure. It may be caused by a number of different occurrences, including a leaky pipe or a flooded basement.
“Within the first 24 hours of a leak or flood, mold development, damage to floors, walls and electrics, and even structural issues can occur,” the article states.
It noted that water can absorb into parts of the house, leading to the swelling of drywall, furniture, doors and window frames. Water damage can also cause paint or wallpaper to peel.
Mold can spread throughout the house, which may cause the site to become dangerous. And, the amount of work and money that is needed to address the damage and the mold goes up.
“To minimize the spread of mold and the risk of serious structural damage, water damage repair should start within 24 to 48 hours,” the article from Angi reported.
It is generally best to get help from a professional restoration service and the occupant of a dwelling space should reach out to their insurance company as soon as possible.
Commenters under the viral TikTok were astounded by what was discovered and commended the consultant. Others shared their fear of what they may buy when they purchase a home themselves.
“If this was a pre-sale inspection, this inspector saved the buyer a major headache along the line,” a viewer wrote. “Whoever he works for deserves a 10 star rating.”
Another wrote, “When his hand went straight through to insulation my soul left my body.”
This is not the only viral TikTok that revealed what a house needed to have fixed.
Newsweek reported in September that AJ, who posts videos to his TikTok account, @inspector_aj, walked around the interior and exterior of a family home that he claimed was on the market for half a million dollars. His video has since garnered nearly 50 million views since it was posted.
The TikToker, who said he is a Certified Professional Inspector, showed various parts of the house and his findings, which included a loose power socket and toilet, a shower stall with a great deal of caulk around the showerhead and a warped porch.
