For most people, buying a home will end up being the single largest purchase in their lifetime. Regardless of if you are buying a brand new home or one that was built 100 plus years ago, you will want to have a Home Inspection prior to closing on the deal.
Finding a great home inspector is important and once they have completed the report you will want to thoroughly review it to ensure you are making a good purchase. Here are some of the most common issues we generally see when doing a home inspection.
Water Damage
One of the most damaging and costly issues you can run into is water damage. Untreated water damage can lead to dry rot and even more costly structural damage. Generally, you can identify water damage around the ceiling, walls, windows, or near the foundation. If the home has a basement, locating any damp areas there can also be a sign of a larger issue. If any potential water damage is located you will want to also check for mold to keep your family safe.
Poor Drainage
Identifying an area with poor drainage near a home’s foundation can sometimes lead you to finding water damage as previously discussed. When the land surrounding the home slopes towards the home it can cause the water to seep into the foundation/crawlspace/basement. This can cause the base of your home to shift or crack and allow water into your home.
Correcting a bad slope grading around a home can be a costly venture. Depending on the scope of the problem it may be best to consider another home if poor drainage is identified prior to a home purchase.
Faulty Wiring
Another issue that can prove costly is faulty wiring in the electrical system. If you notice extension cords being used, wire nuts missing, open junction boxes or anything else that does not look right you may have faulty wiring in the home. Many home fires can be attributed to faulty wiring that could have been discovered in a thorough home inspection.
If the home was built prior to 1950 you may encounter knob and tube wiring. This can be dangerous for a few reasons, the largest being that the insulation surrounding the wire is already a fire hazard. In addition to the insulation, knob-and-tube wiring does not have a grounding conductor which also increases the chance of an electrical fire, especially if there is a power surge. Because of these issues, some insurers will not cover a home that has knob-and-tube wiring and it is no longer permitted in use for new home builds.
Roofing Issues
Roofing issues can be tough to spot with a normal walkthrough of the home since they are not fully visible. Because of this, roofing issues can be one of the major defects identified by a licensed home inspector.
Some of the main problems seen in roofs are as follows:
- Improperly installed shingles
- Broken or curled shingles
- Worn out shingles due to age
- Broken or missing flashing
Some roof repairs may be minor and not as costly, but if there are issues that require an entirely new roof you could be on the hook for a major repair cost.
Obviously, there are a number of various issues that can arise during a home inspection, but we have found the ones in this article to be the most prevalent and costly to repair.
Contact Home Sweet Home Inspections today to schedule a time for one of our experts to come out and inspect your home!