The home purchase is the largest one most people ever make. This
makes it an extremely important financial commitment. Many of the issues that a
house may have are outside of the layperson’s ability to diagnose, which means
that it is a good idea to have building and pest inspections carried out by
professionals. It makes sense for home buyers to know exactly what they are
getting into before they make the purchase.
Important Things to Look for in a Home Inspection
Below is a buying property guide to help homeowners spot
potential issues with homes that they are considering. Understanding these
issues can help them to evaluate the quality of a home before committing to the
expense of a professional inspection. These are the most important areas for
building inspections suggested by our friend at Precision Building & Pest Inspections:
1. Basement
Basements are prone to moisture problems and therefore are among
the most important areas to inspect before buying a house. Home buyers should
look for signs of water leaks on the basement’s ceiling and floor. It is also a
good idea to look for leaking around the home’s foundation.
2. Attic
Attics are another area where problems are often uncovered
during building inspections. Home buyers should look for problems like water
leakage and damage. They should also try to determine if there is a musty odor
present as this can be a sign of mold growth.
3. Roof
A roof that needs maintenance can lead to numerous problems
including damaged drywall, insulation and wiring. A shingle roof should have no
missing shingles and should look secure.
4. Toilets
Home buyers should make sure that toilets are flush with the
floor and do not move when touched. Toilets that have been poorly installed are
likely to leak and cause water damage.
5. Wiring
Electrical wiring can be a safety issue, especially in older
homes. It should not be worn or frayed and should have been installed to code.
It is important to note that rewiring a house can be a very expensive project.
The home buyer should find and inspect the main breaker box, which should be
easy to get to and in good condition.
6. Insulation
How well a home is insulated affects its comfort as well as the
cost of heating or cooling it. Homes that are poorly insulated can be less
comfortable and far more expensive to keep cool or warm.
7. Plumbing
It is important that the home’s plumbing be installed properly
and be well maintained. Signs of future problems include little or no
insulating wraps on pipes as well as PVC pipes that have been stretched to make
them fit.
8. Drains
This is an aspect of plumbing that many home buyers overlook; however, poor drainage
can be an expensive problem to fix. Backed up drains can result in flooding
that can cause extensive water damage. One way to check drainage is to turn on
all the faucets and see how quickly the water drains away. This can indicate
whether or not there are clogs in the line.
9. HVAC
The first step is to turn on the heating and air conditioning
system to make sure that it works. The model and capacity of the HVAC system
should also be checked to make sure that it is correctly sized.
10. Fireplace and Chimney
The mortar should be checked to make sure that it is not loose
or crumbling and there should be a rain cap on the chimney. The interior of the
chimney should be inspected for evidence of creosote.
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