While a home inspection isn’t always mandatory depending on the state you live it is a good idea to get done once you find a home you like.
It can be a relatively easy process to go through after you hire a home inspector to inspect the home. However, you might want to be aware of the 8 most common issues found on home inspections that may turn up and fail the inspection that you should be aware of.
Water Damage
Among the 8 most common issues found on home inspections that most home inspectors agree on is any form of water damage to a structure. This is one of the most damaging and costly problems. Water is the leading cause of dry rot, costly structural damage, and toxic mold.
How to Spot Water Damage
Look for moisture stains around the ceiling, walls, or windows, or water pooling under or near the home’s foundation as you start checking for the 8 most common issues found on home inspections. If the house has a basement and has dampness that can also be a sign of water damage. Look carefully for water stains, a powdery-like residue on walls, mold, and mildew. If you discover any of these issues find and hire a home inspection company that checks for mold.
Faulty Wiring
Another costly issue and 8 most common issues found on home inspections that can be problematic are electrical systems. For example, if you see open fuse boxes, amperage mismatches, wire nuts missing, or extension cords all over when you view a home, these should be red flags.
Older Homes and Home Fires
Many home fires are said to be caused by faulty electrical wiring. Older homes may not have the proper amount of power supply and/or electrical outlets, which is why you may see extension cords everywhere. The problem then becomes that extension cords can often put an extra burden on the home’s electrical system and possibly lead to a fire. Be sure you check this out as you go through the list of the 8 most common issues found on home inspections.
Exposed Electrical Wires
Another common electrical problem found in homes of all ages is exposure to electrical wires. If an electrical wire is exposed, it is susceptible to physical damage. Open splice wires, which can be witnessed when a wire is conjoined using electrical tape or wire connectors signals a do-it-yourself job. This can usually be seen in garages, attics, crawlspaces, or above-dropped ceilings. In short, these are dangerous and should be fixed immediately if you plan to purchase the home when addressing the 8 most common issues found on home inspections.
Homes Built Between 1900 and 1950
Homes built anytime between 1900 and 1950 often have outdated and inadequate fuse boxes. Unfortunately, that means the wiring in these homes is not good enough to keep up with today’s needs and may need to be entirely replaced. Yes, even older homes fall under the 8 most common issues found on home inspections.
Bad Drainage
As you continue looking for the 8 most common issues found on home inspections Poor drainage and grade sloping should be on your radar. This issue is often linked to water damage because if the home is not graded correctly, water will not drain correctly.
In general signs of poor drainage are on the list of 8 most common issues found on home inspections
You will find spongy ground around the foundation and leaks in the basement. Different situations can lead to various issues around the home in terms of poor drainage in that list of the 8 most common issues found on home inspections. When the land around the home slopes down toward the home, this can lead to damp or wet crawlspaces, movement of the foundation, or cracking of the foundation. If the water wicks up the foundation, that can lead to rot in the walls and mold and falls into one of the 8 most common issues found on home inspections.
Signs of Grade Sloping Under the House are also part of the 8 most common issues found on home inspections.
Keep an eye out for any of these signs of grade sloping:
Windows that are not square or that look odd.
Interior doors with large, uneven gaps at the top when closed.
Interior doors that visibly swing to one side or the other when left open.
Floors that visibly sloping to one side or the other.
Unfortunately, Correcting grade sloping can be one of the 8 most common issues found on home inspections costly and while it is possible to correct these issues if the home, you’re considering buying has signs of poor drainage and grade sloping, it may be time to look for something else.
Drainage problems in a home can be a nuisance but wouldn’t you rather know sooner than later when it comes to being aware of the8 most common issues found on home inspections.
Problematic Gutters
While not as expensive as the other issues mentioned clogged, broken, bent, or missing gutters can be a problem and are among the 8 most common issues found on home inspections. When a home with gutters includes sections that are not functioning properly, water is not being channeled away from the home.
Because it is listed as one of the 8 most common issues found on home inspections This is another issue that may create water damage in the house as water must drain away from the home to prevent water intrusion and why it is part of the 8 most common issues found on home inspections. If there are no gutters or downspouts present, adding them could aid in preventing or rectify drainage issues and bypass being among the 8 most common issues found on home inspections.
Roof Problems
Perhaps the biggest of the 8 most common issues found on home inspections is roof damage. Roofs can have problems but most of the time they are not visible while you’re viewing a potential home. Common roof issues discovered during home inspections include:
Worn roofs.
Brittle or curled shingles
Broken or missing flashings
Improper installation
Aged surfaces
Be forewarned a roof problem is considered by many experts to be one of the most expensive issues found during a home inspection. Once a home buyer learns there is a roof issue, they typically start looking for another home.
Foundation Flaws
Foundations are also part of the 8 most common issues found on home inspections If there are problems with the foundation there could be sloping floors, doors, and windows that stick, or doors that swing in one direction when left open. Cracks in the foundation can be caused by other serious issues. Repairing the foundation of a home can be a big expense and, depending on the causes of the foundation flaws, the underlying issues may create new foundational problems over time and one to think about when going over the 8 most common issues found on home inspections.
General Disrepair
Poor home maintenance can also lead to costly repairs. For instance, the home may need to be repainted, have new carpet installed, or the driveway may need repaving. If the home has not been maintained, it could be expensive to make it livable. Depending on the work that needs to be done and other factors, like how long the home has been listed on the market, the seller may be willing to make those updates before you buy.
Bad Plumbing
One major factor some home buyers overlook when touring a house is its plumbing. Try doing these tips:
Turn on every faucet.
Turn on every shower.
Flush every toilet.
In each area, look for low water pressure, slow drains, and signs of leaks. Keep in mind that those signs may mean opening the cabinet beneath a sink and checking for a small drip from the pipes. If there is a kitchen or bathroom on the second floor, or if the home has a basement, look at the ceiling beneath each of them.
Some plumbing systems may only need minor repairs; however, it is not uncommon to find a home with plumbing issues where the entire plumbing system needs a replacement,
Once your dream home passes a home inspection and you are OK with the findings discovered by a qualified inspector and you close the deal, you are ready to call the movers.
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