What You Should Know About a Home Inspection

All home buyers want their new home to be as solid and sound in structure as it appears to the natural eye. Most savvy buyers and many mortgage companies now require that a home inspection be done before finalizing the purchase of your home. A professional home inspector will look at the heating, air conditioning, floors, appliances, walls, roof, etc. Their objective is to make sure everything is in good working order. If you know up front what to look for, it can help you avoid having a small problem become a big problem.

Plumbing

Look for leaks and clogs. You can usually tell pretty easy if you have a leak. A professional inspector will turn on all your faucets in your highest bathroom and then flush the toilet to determine your water pressure. If you hear the sound of running water, it suggests you may have undersized pipes. If you can see dirty water in the faucet, you may have rusted pipes. Rust can cause serious water problems.

Water, Mildew and Odor

Besides checking your walls, the inspector will look to see if where your items are stored in your basement. If they are on the floor, this suggests you have no water problems. If they are off the floor, it may suggest you do have a water problem. In addition to water, the inspector will be aware of mildew. Mildew does have an odor. He will also inspect the basement foundation to see if you’ve sealed a crack in the foundation. If you have a water problem, it may require a sump pump and pit. This is not a cheap fix.

Electrical

By default, all homes should have a minimum 100 amps of electrical usage. This should be clearly marked. Your wire should be copper or aluminum. Because fire is a major concern from poor wiring, the inspector will carefully examine your circuitry.

Potential fire problems occur when the electrical amps drawn on a circuit exceed their original design. The most common circuits in a home are typically 15 amps. However, larger appliances such as dryers and stoves require more amperage.

Heating

Poor insulation or a worn out heating system cause high heating bills. The inspector will carefully examine your heating unit. He will specifically look for rust on the heat exchanger. Then, he will ask about the life expectancy of the heating unit. Normally, your heating unit is rated for fifteen to twenty-five years. This will give him and estimate of the remaining life in your unit. The primary focus will be the heat exchanger. If it is cracked, it is a potential carbon monoxide problem. Heat exchanges cannot be repaired, they must be replaced.

Roof

The home inspector will carefully examine the roof for water problems and leaks. You can often see problems with the shingles or other problems caused by high winds. You need to take a careful look first. The professional inspector will also check for leaks in your gutters and downspouts. You need to insure that water does not run through to the exterior walls.

Attic Space

The home inspector will look in your attic for signs of damp spaces. This could be indications of poor insulation, ventilation or vapor barrier problems. When this occurs, water collects and produces mildew and mold from the moisture. Water problems greatly reduce the life of the roof and building structures.

Water Problems in General

Water is an enemy to your home. It causes wood rotting in doors, decks, siding, windows, trim and fences. Even if you’ve recently painted, an inspector will carefully look for any signs of water.

If you have problems with the bricks on the exterior of your home, you will also have water and moisture problems. Inspectors will carefully examine the brick on the exterior of the home and in a fire place. Fallen bricks in a fire place can lead to the total collapse of the chimney.

Security and Safety Features

A good professional home inspector will carefully look at the safety and security features of your home. For example, do the locks on the windows, doors and patio doors work properly? Is there a dead bolt lock on the front door? Do you have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom and on every level of your home? These items are inexpensive to replace. Ask your real estate agent for detailed information.

Foundation

Last, but not least, the home inspector will examine the foundation and underlying structure of your home. The foundation must be in good condition because the entire structure of your home is dependent upon it.

Now you know a few things to look for before you have a professional home inspector enter your home. The primary objective is to eliminate any surprises. Take some time and examine these items for yourself. In the long run it will save you both time and money.