Whether it's a first time purchase or you have bought bought property before, buying a home is a serious investment of your time and money. When buying a home that is newly built, buying a fixer upper or something in between, getting a home inspection done before you commit to the investment is extremely important. When you do, common home inspection problems found during an inspection can save you from being surprised down the road with costly repairs.
Making sure to hire a certified home inspection company, such as Solid Rock Inspections Group, is the best way to ensure you are getting a detailed and thorough examination of the home you are buying. Knowing this, it is a good idea to have a general understanding of common issues that can be discovered.
The Common Home Inspection Problems Found
Water Damage
If you talk to most home inspectors, they will agree that water damage is probably the most damaging and costly issue found during a home inspection. Not only does it cause rot and structural damage but can cause mold problems.
How Can You Spot Water Damage In A Home
Moisture stains on the ceiling or walls is a good indicator that there has been a problem with water damage in the house. Also, look for evidence of water collecting at the foundation of the house. Powdery substances on the walls might be signs that mold and mildew is present. If you discover any of these signs, make sure you book a residential inspection company that has experience in mold testing.
Poor And Faulty Electrical Wiring
Electrical problems can also be a source of expensive repairs. When viewing a home, take a look at the electrical panel. If you happen to see mismatched amperages, extension cords and missing wire nuts, these can all be a sign of faulty electrical work.
Home Fires And Older Homes
The most common cause of house fires isn't smoking in bed or a candle burning unattended. It's actually faulty wiring in the home itself. Many older homes haven't been updated with the right kind of power supply or enough electrical outlets. Many of these home owners will run extension cords all over the place in order to accommodate modern power needs. The extension cords place a burden on the home's electrical system and can then cause a fire to break out. Be sure your home inspector goes over in detail the accurate condition of the home's electrical system with you during an inspection.
Drainage And Sloping Problems
In some cases, extreme water damage can be caused by poor drainage issues. Feel the ground around the foundation of the home. Does it feel spongy or damp on a dry day? If so, there could be a problem with proper drainage. Your home inspector will often check for proper sloping to ensure sloping is away from the house and not towards it. Improper sloping can cause crawlspaces to become damp ultimately leading to rotting in the foundation and structure.
Correcting drainage and sloping issues can be very expensive. While repairs are possible, if these issues are discovered during an inspection, it may be an issue that causes you to move on to another property in order to avoid the expense.
Broken Gutters
Gutters that are clogged, bent or broken can be an issue that contributes to water damage in the home. It is important that water gets drained away from the home in order to avoid rotting of structural elements. Missing sections of gutters or missing downspouts could be problematic. The good news is that this issue is fairly easy and inexpensive to fix.
Roof PRoblems
Roofs, like any other component of a house, may have problems that are not immediately apparent while viewing a potential residence. Roof concerns that are frequently discovered during home inspections include:
- Worn roofs
- Broken or missing flashings
- Improper installation
- Misaligned gutters
- Water damage from leaking gutter caps
- Dry curled shingles
Roof problems are among the most expensive issues discovered during a home inspection. That is why, for many house purchasers, if the roof is old and in bad shape, they will abandon the property and look at alternative possibilities.
Foundation Problems
Sloping floors, doors and windows that stick, or even doors that swing in one direction when left ajar are all signs of an unstable foundation. A variety of serious issues might cause foundations to crack. The repair of a home's foundation is a significant investment, and the underlying problems may lead to further foundation flaws over time.
Evidence Of Poor Maintenance
Neglected property may require expensive repairs. The home might need to be painted, the carpet replaced, or the driveway resurfaced. If the house has not been kept up, it may be costly to bring it back into a livable condition. Depending on the work that must be done and other variables like how long the property has been on the market, the seller may be obliged to make those repairs before you buy. Consider bring along our home inspection checklist to look for some of the more obvious points of concern before bringing in a professional home inspector.
Bad Plumbling
Sloping floors, doors and windows that stick, or even doors that swing in one direction when left ajar are all signs of an unstable foundation. A variety of serious issues might cause foundations to crack. The repair of a home's foundation is a significant investment, and the underlying problems may lead to further foundation flaws over time.
Most of us take plumbing for granted and many buyers tend to overlook the condition of the plumbing when looking at a new home. However, to get a general sense of the plumbing condition, follow the process below:
- Turn on every faucet
- Turn on every shower and bath
- Flush every toilet
When you do each of these looks for slow drainage, weak pressure and even signs of leaks. Keep in mind, a leak may be underneath the cabinet of the bathroom sink. If the house is two story, check the ceiling on the first floor where any second floor bathroom would be.
In most cases, plumbing issues can be fixed as a minor expense. However, it can be fairly common to discover a plumbing system, especially in older homes, where the entire system needs to be replaced.
Let Solid Rock Inspections Group Discover Home Inspection Problems Before They Become A Major Issue
Before hiring a professional home inspector, make sure they can accommodate any and all of the home inspection services you may need when shopping for your new home. Air quality and mold testing is an important inspection to have done. However, it is not necessarily included with every 4 point home inspection.
Make sure you read the report your home inspection company gives you and ask all the question you need to before making your final investment. In many cases, you can negotiate a lower price based on the repairs you will have to make or the seller can often make the repairs needed.
Even in a highly aggressive real estate market such as in Tampa Bay, you always want to have a home inspection done before closing on a new home. Let Solid Rock Inspections Group take care of your residential inspections needs. We are InterNACHI certified inspectors ready to serve your needs. For more information on our services or to schedule an inspection, please call us at (727) 386-8627 or contact us through our website here.