Most distressed buildings show signs of trouble long before failure. Knowing what to look for could help you recognise danger early and make safer decisions.

When a building collapses, people often realise the warning signs had been there all along. Someone had noticed widening cracks. Someone else thought the building looked uneven. Concerns were raised, then ignored.

The reality is that buildings rarely fail without warning. In many cases, the signs show up months or even years before anything serious happens. Knowing what to look for could mean recognising a problem early enough to act before it becomes dangerous.

Here are seven signs that a building may be in distress and why they should never be ignored.

1. Cracks that keep spreading

Not every crack means danger. Buildings naturally settle over time, and small hairline cracks in paint or plaster are common.

What should get your attention are cracks that are deep, wide, diagonal, or gradually spreading across walls, ceilings, or floors. Be more concerned if they cut through columns or structural walls, or seem larger each time you notice them.

A simple way to monitor movement is to mark the ends of the crack and check again after a few weeks. If it has extended, the building may be shifting.

2. Doors and windows suddenly stop fitting properly

A door that suddenly sticks or a window that no longer closes properly may seem like a minor annoyance, but it can sometimes point to something bigger.

When parts of a building settle unevenly, frames can shift slightly out of alignment. If several doors and windows start behaving differently around the same time, it is worth paying attention.

3. A visible lean or tilt

A building that looks slightly uneven should never be dismissed.

Stand back and look at it from a distance. Compare it with nearby structures or check whether walls still appear upright. A noticeable lean can suggest movement beneath the foundation and should be taken seriously.

4. Sagging floors or ceilings

Floors should feel level and solid. If they begin dipping, sloping, or feeling unusually soft underfoot, something may be wrong beneath the surface.

The same goes for ceilings that bulge, sag, or begin pulling away from the walls. These changes can happen when structural elements are no longer carrying weight properly.

5. Persistent damp patches, water stains, or peeling paint

Water damage does not always look dramatic, but it can quietly cause long-term problems. Walls that stay damp, paint that repeatedly peels, or stains that keep returning may mean water has been entering the structure for a long time. Over time, moisture can weaken materials and encourage corrosion inside reinforced concrete.

6. Strange sounds or unexplained movement

Buildings under stress sometimes make themselves known.

Repeated creaking, popping, or cracking sounds with no obvious explanation can signal movement within the structure. You may also notice subtle changes, such as furniture no longer sitting level or objects shifting unexpectedly.

7. Crumbling concrete and exposed rusting metal

Take a closer look at exposed areas such as balconies, staircases, columns, and external walls.

Concrete that flakes, breaks apart, or reveals rusted steel underneath should not be ignored. As steel corrodes, it expands and creates pressure inside the concrete, gradually weakening it.

What to do if you notice these signs

1. Do not rely only on reassurance from neighbours or landlords.

2. If you notice one or more of these warning signs, arrange for a qualified structural engineer to inspect the building. If the signs are severe, especially a visible lean, sagging floors, or rapidly widening cracks, leave the building until it has been assessed.

3. Moving out temporarily may feel inconvenient, but it is a small price compared with staying in a structure that may no longer be safe.

4. Buildings usually give warnings before they fail. Knowing how to recognise them could save lives. (The Guardian)

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