What is a home inspection?

Home inspections are needed in a host of different situations.

Why do I need a home inspection?

Buying a Home: Before finalizing the purchase of a home, buyers typically get an inspection to uncover any potential problems. This can help negotiate the price or require the seller to make repairs.

Selling a Home: Sellers might get an inspection before listing their property to identify and fix issues, making their home more attractive to buyers.

Routine Maintenance: Homeowners may get periodic inspections to catch problems early before they become major repairs.

Renovations: Before starting a renovation project, an inspection can help identify structural issues or other problems that need to be addressed first.

Insurance Purposes: Some insurance companies require an inspection before issuing or renewing a policy to ensure the home meets certain standards.

Buying an Investment Property: Investors often get inspections to assess the condition and potential repair costs of rental properties or fixer-uppers.

After a Natural Disaster: Following events like fires, floods, or tornados, inspections can assess damage and safety.

Here are a few major areas included in a typical home inspection

Structural Integrity

During a home inspection, structural concerns are a top priority and maybe a big red signal for future troubles. The following are a few of the structural problems that are frequently noted in house inspection reports:

Foundation wall cracks: Horizontal fissures are especially dangerous because they might be signs of movement or settlement in the foundation. However, depending on their size and position, vertical fissures might also be troublesome.
Uneven flooring: Sloping or uneven flooring may indicate difficulties with the substructure that supports the home or with the foundation.
Leaning or bowing walls: Walls that sag outward or inward may be signs of foundation issues that require immediate attention.

Roofing

Roof problems among the common home inspection issues are as follows:

Sagging Rooflines: A sagging roofline might be a sign of structural issues with the roof's supports or trusses.
Shingles that are missing or damaged: Missing or damaged shingles might affect the roof's ability to keep out water, which could result in leaks and possible structural damage.
Problems with flashing: Water intrusion around vents, skylights, and chimneys can result in rot or other structural issues if the flashing is broken or improperly placed.

Electrical

Electrical problems are among the most common home inspection findings and can be expensive to fix and pose a serious risk to public safety. The following are a few of the most typical electrical issues found during a house inspection:

Aluminum wire: Aluminum wire is a common feature of homes constructed between 1965 and 1973, however, it can burn out more quickly than copper wiring.
Knob-and-Tube Wiring: The wires in this antiquated wiring scheme are insulated by porcelain knobs and tubes.
Frayed or Exposed Wiring: Fires, arcing, and electrical shocks can result from exposed or broken wires.
Overloaded Circuits: When too many appliances or other equipment are plugged into a circuit, it can overheat, regularly trip the breakers, or even worse, start an electrical fire.
Double Taps: It is a fire danger and should be handled when two wires are connected to a single breaker slot.
Outdated Electrical Panel: Modern residences may require more electricity than older panels can provide.
Ungrounded Outlets: There is a higher chance of electrical shocks when outlets are not properly grounded.

Plumbing

Plumbing problems are crucial to find during a home inspection as they can result in health risks, water damage, and mold development. The following are common problems found during home inspections that inspectors check for:

Visible Leaks: Over time, even tiny leaks have the potential to do a great deal of harm.
Water stains on walls or ceilings may be an indication of previous or current leaks that need to be looked into further.
Slow Drains: Clogs, mineral accumulation, and venting problems can all lead to slow drains in sinks, tubs, and showers.
Backups: A blockage or malfunction in the primary drainage system might be indicated by sewer line backups, which can be a major issue.
Leaking Taps
Operational Toilets
Low Water Pressure: A number of things, including blocked pipes and malfunctioning pressure regulators, can lead to low water pressure throughout the house.

HVAC System

Inadequate HVAC performance might raise red flags for future issues during a house inspection and influence your purchase decision. The following are a few of the most typical problems with HVAC systems found during house inspections:

Unclean Filters: Air filters that are clogged limit airflow, lower efficiency, and lower the quality of air within buildings.
Unclean Coils: The accumulation of dust, debris, and filth on the condenser and evaporator coils can seriously impair the system's capacity to efficiently heat or cool.
Absence of Maintenance documents: The system's possible lifespan and overall level of care are called into question by the lack of documents pertaining to normal maintenance.
Outdated System
System Sizing: An oversized system might result in short-cycling (frequent on-and-off cycles) and inefficiency, while an undersized system may find it difficult to maintain acceptable temperatures throughout the home.
Poor Installation
Damp Ducts
Inadequate balance, inadequate ductwork size, and blocked vents can all contribute to uneven airflow.

Insulation and Ventilation

An overview of typical insulation and ventilation discoveries made during a house examination is provided below:

Inadequate Insulation: Inspectors will look for and measure insulation in the crawlspaces, basement, attic, and external walls.
Compressed or Settled Insulation: Especially in attics where loose-fill insulation may be present, inspectors will be on the lookout for indications of this.
Absence of Insulation
Blocked Vents
Inadequate Attic Ventilation
Absence of Bathroom Exhaust Fans: Mold development and moisture issues are common in bathrooms lacking exhaust fans.

Grading and Drainage

Below is a summary of the things that inspectors usually check for:

Negative Grade: The most serious grading problem is this one. A minimum of 5% slope should be present between the ground and the foundation.
Settled Grading: As the earth around the foundation ages, it may create dips or low areas that collect water.
Uneven Grading: Water may also be directed toward the foundation rather than away from it as a result of uneven grading.
Inadequate Drainage: Inadequate drainage is indicated by standing water surrounding the foundation during periods of precipitation or snowmelt.
Absence of downspouts or gutter
Blockages in downspouts and gutters: Gutter and downspout blockages or overflow can result in water gathering around the foundation and hinder appropriate water movement.

Windows and Doors

The following is a summary of some typical window and door issues that home inspectors check for:

Sticking or Hard to Break Seals: Examiners will look for indications of a hard seal, including moisture building up in between the panes, which can lower energy efficiency.
Broken or Broken Glass
Water-Related Damage or Seepage
Old or inefficient Windows: The type of window and the possible advantages of an upgrade may be noted by inspectors.
Clinging or Challenging to Use
Inadequate Weather Stripping or Sweeps: Inspectors will look for weather stripping that is missing, broken, or worn out.
Security Issues: Examiners will evaluate the doors' general level of security.

Wow, that is a lot to digest!

Our team is very well equipped and happy to answer any questions that you may have regarding your inspection.