Top Issues a Home Inspector Checks For

When it comes to a home’s performance and safety, the home inspectors we spoke with all agreed on a select few factors.

Foundation

The workhorse of a house is its foundation. It must sustain the house’s skeletal construction (drywall up to the roof, frame), possessions, and most significantly, its residents. Due to the high expense of repairs, foundation problems frequently prevent buyers from purchasing a property.

Inspectors’ Criteria
Typically, inspectors will walk around the outside of the house to check for slopes, cracks, and settlement issues. If there is a crawl space, it will be thoroughly inspected for water damage, mold, and warping that can compromise the strength of the wood supports. The inspector will also examine the workmanship of any past foundation repairs.

Roof

Water penetration is definitely one of the biggest concerns. This is because it can create foundation settlement, which, if you’re in a crawlspace, can result in rot, decay, gray mold, and termite activity.

A house transaction can also be made or broken by the quality and performance of the roof. Concerned family members frequently inquire about the age of the roof in a house sale.

A roof shields a house from the elements, including the sun, wind, rain, and snow. A high-performing roof maintains a home’s interior air quality while offering adequate ventilation to keep it well-insulated. Also, replacing it is incredibly pricey.

Inspectors’ Criteria
While some inspectors may assess the roof from a ladder, many will climb up there to do a visual check. An inspector may need to use binoculars and examine the roof from the ground in bad weather.

One inspector shared with us, “I’m looking at the overall condition of all the components and making sure that everything is watertight and that we still have three to four years at a minimum life left in that roof at that time of the inspection.”

Inspectors search for moss growth, leaks, and missing or broken roofs or tiles. They also check flashing, gutters, vents, adequate attic ventilation, and skylights.

Plumbing

Is a leak the worst possible scenario? Water issues have a domino effect and can cause significant problems in a property if not addressed. Nothing depletes funds quite like a widespread water issue. It can have an impact on the foundation, walls, floor, and subfloor – essentially everything that could cause problems and cost more money.

Inspectors’ Criteria
Everything that affects water flow, such as piping, showers, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, toilets, and spigots, will be inspected as part of the house inspection. Inspectors will look for signs of DIY work and repairs, as well as pipes that are leaking, corroding, and damaged.

In addition to looking for cross-connection or contamination issues, they will look for moisture evidence in the walls, floors, and ceilings.

Electrical Wiring

A home inspector’s primary priority is to evaluate a house’s safety, and if electrical problems go unchecked, they could represent a significant concern. The third most common reason for house fires is electrical systems, which is a risky and perhaps fatal result of unresolved electrical issues.

Inspectors’ Criteria
The electrical panel is examined from top to bottom during an inspection to make sure everything is up to code, including the wiring and grounding. Also, the inspector will check for properly rated amperage and damaged wires.

To avoid injury and electrocution, switches and receptacles must function properly, and ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets ought to be placed in most rooms.

A/C system

You’re going to want to know if your home’s systems can effectively heat, chill, and ventilate the interior. Because the house inspection won’t cover every aspect, you should hire an HVAC vendor to perform a more complete assessment if you think the unit is outdated and needs closer scrutiny.

Inspectors’ Criteria
The heater and air conditioner will typically be turned on as soon as the inspection begins to ensure that both work correctly. To check the thermostat as well, they frequently leave the system running throughout the checkup.

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