As you stand in front of your dream house with stars in your eyes, you dream of spending time with friends and family there. Just as you’re dreaming of backyard bbq’s, the inspector comes up to you. He looks unhappy. At the end of his explanation, so do you. Your home inspection didn’t go as planned. What could’ve gone wrong?
The Roof And Foundation
Inspectors examine the top and bottom of a house first. If water damages or other weather damages have harmed the foundation and roof, the signs will be not only on the foundation and roof but the walls as well. Damages can be painted over, but they are still obvious to a trained observer.
Drainage
Even if a property slopes down toward the house, moisture must drain away from the house. If it doesn’t, then digging a French drain around the perimeters of the house often works. The point is that if you don’t want a flooded basement, then adequate drainage must be facilitated.
Home Systems
The HVAC system and water heater should work without leaks, holes, or in the case of the ducts, small animal nests. The dryer vent to the outside should have no animal or bird nests nor a buildup of lint. This is a fire hazard and should be fixed immediately.
Plumbing
This topic deserves its own paragraph due to the type of piping used in years gone by. Did you know that during the war years iron was used for military items, so plumbers used papier-mâché as plumbing pipes? Prospective buyers should have a plumber run a camera through every inch of the pipes. They need to know about holes, blockages, and what materials the pipes are made of.
The Wiring
Flickering lights, outlets that spark, and light switches that get hot are just a few signals to prospective buyers that the wiring should be examined. If there aren’t enough outlets, and extension cords are supporting everything from small appliances to computers to TVs, then the wiring needs to be upgraded before a fire happens.
Mold
Structural damages like cracks allow moisture into the inside walls of a house. Mold grows there, completely unknown to the homeowner. This causes breathing problems to susceptible family members. Home inspections are good for finding mold and saving someone from a trip to the ER.
No one wants a home inspection to turn up anything disastrous. If it does, then homeowners should fix the problems, or tell the buyers about it. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, SHI can provide you thorough and detailed reports so you can have any problem areas addressed. Schedule your inspection today!
By Strouse Home Inspections 8-11-2021
