What are some common problems found during a home inspection?
Finding your ideal house is one of the most exciting things ever.
As soon as you lay eyes on it, you start envisioning your life there, how you’re going to decorate it, the dinner parties you’re going to plan, all the fun stuff.
The question is, how do you know if a house is indeed perfect?
What type of issues should you look out for in your home?
We have all the answers you need — read on as we go through five common issues found in home inspections!
1. Electric Wiring Problems
From open junction boxes to overpowered conductors, amperage mismatches, and outdated wiring: there are several wiring issues that inspectors often find, especially when looking through an old house.
These problems are critical to spot, as depending on how serious they are, they might be a danger to you and your family.
Often we see homes that have had breaker capacities increased, trying to keep up with modern demands without also increasing the size of the conductors. When a wire has more power running through it than its rating, it can overheat, creating a more significant potential for fire.
Many homes have had outlets changed to the modern 3-prong ones we are used to seeing, but may not have a grounding system giving you a false sense of security. We also run into many older homes that don’t have GFCI’s installed in areas that modern standards require for safety.
Other times, there are not enough outlets in the home to meet modern electric demands. We keep an eye out for how we expect houses to get used today, not how they got used when built.
2. Roof Problems
Roofing issues typically are found in houses built over ten years ago, located in areas with harsh weather conditions or inadequate attic ventilation.
The inspector might come across brittle shingles, broken flashings, or worn roofs, and the most important thing is to understand what type of repair is needed. Sometimes it is a simple repair that isn’t too expensive. Other times roof coverings are at the point they need to be replaced.
Often we find roof penetrations that were added and not appropriately installed, leaving open avenues for water penetration. We look from the top of the roof and the attic for any evidence of past leaks. Fixing roof problems can become a considerable expense, so you need to understand if the investment is worth it or if you should find another place.
3. Plumbing Problems
During your home inspection, you’ll notice that the inspector will turn on every faucet and shower, as well as flush the toilet several times. The reason is simple: doing so will help us pinpoint any issues with the plumbing system.
Sometimes we’ll leave showers running upstairs while we are downstairs listening for drips. Hidden leaks are the hardest to find; that’s why we have infrared cameras available to aid in locating hidden wet spots. Typically, its dripping drains and valves under sinks that we see, or the evidence of past drips.
Plumbing problems are typically easy (and affordable) to repair.
However, from time to time, we might find a system that needs replacement entirely, which isn’t as affordable.
4. Foundation Problems
Buying a house with a poor foundation is purchasing a home that’s prone to all sorts of severe problems and expenses — and that’s not the type of investment you want to make!
That’s why during your inspection, your home inspector will look attentively at all the doors, floors, and windows, to see if there are any cracks or imperfections. Often in homes with structural issues, we find the doors and windows out of plumb. These openings are the weakest part of a building, and they can also tell the story of the structure if you know how to read them.
These are the type of details that buyers can easily overlook, which is a big mistake, considering how expensive it is to fix foundation problems.
5. Poor Home Maintenance
If you’re buying a fixer-upper, you’re probably ready to spend some money repairing things like the property’s outside painting, the carpets, or the outdoor pavement. Other times the fresh coat of paint has blinded you to the problems hidden behind it.
Nevertheless, it’s still crucial that you understand if those investments are worth it, which is why the inspector will assess how well the home is maintained and how much fixing up is necessary.
Understanding Common Problems Found in Home Inspections
Hiring a professional to conduct your home inspection is always a good idea.
However, understanding the issues you might run into in your potential new house might give you the confidence you need to guarantee that you’re making the right decision.
Here at Reliant Home Inspection, we’re more than happy to have you around while doing what we do best. We are here to help you understand your home and give you the best information to make an informed decision.
