Buying a house is an investment. Inspecting it beforehand is highly crucial, despite its current condition. Ensuring that a qualified inspector has inspected the property can help you get a thorough report on your potential home. It’ll always be helpful to know the common problems you might encounter during the inspection. Below is a list that will keep you well-informed while shopping around for your new home.
Structural Issues
You should start with inspecting the crawlspace and attic. Your home’s structural parts can refer to the walls, roof, framing, basement or slab, crawlspace, or foundation. During renovation or construction, your contractor might have incorrectly cut the joists, rafters, or trusses. Natural disasters, poor setting, drainage, and construction can also lead to structural problems. It’ll be helpful to bring in an engineer.
It’ll ensure that your home is structurally stable and obtain its seal for resale. Depending on the area that needs repairs and its scope, you might have to spend thousands of dollars to fix structural problems. Major problems are rare, but you should still have them inspected because structural issues can be financially devastating.
Plumbing
Most plumbing issues can include components needing replacements or repairs and a leaking faucet. Neglected leaks can result in additional problems, like mold, subfloor rot, and damage to flooring. If your inspector finds significant plumbing problems leading to mold growth, you might have to bring in a water damage restoration or professional carpet cleaning company to get multiple insights.
Your home’s piping system might be the hardest thing to inspect because they’re under your home. You’ll want to ask the inspector to pay more attention to your plumbing because they’re likely to go under your house. If they notice something suspicious, it’s best to hire a plumbing contractor to get their insights. Your wells and septic tanks are separate issues. You’ll want to have them inspected.
HVAC Issues
HVAC issues are common. It can include systems not working correctly, units at the end of their lifespan, or ductwork incorrectly sealed or installed. Heating and cooling units can last for about ten to twenty years, depending on maintenance, routine service, and other care. Technicians can help find newer units and perform tune-ups. In addition, they can also find efficiency issues, change air filters, or seal ductwork.
Incorrectly sealed ductwork will accumulate debris and dust in the crawlspace and attic, resulting in energy loss, sediment in filters, and indoor allergies.
If you’re dealing with HVAC issues or your unit is near the end of its lifespan, you might have to negotiate with the seller. You can talk about replacing the unit, and the overall price will depend on the heating and cooling unit you might have in mind.
Termites
Termite damage is another common expensive problem, depending on how long they have been infesting the property. When hiring an inspector, you’ll have to make sure you also have the property checked for termite damage because it can significantly damage your home. If you have termite infestations, it’s best to bring in a pest control company. That’s because they provide scheduled and routine treatments.
Moisture and wood elements in your property are the most common conditions that will attract termite infestations. Obvious signs of the infestation can include seeing the pest themselves or mud tubes in the crawlspaces. Because they eat wooden structures in a house, replacing or treating the affected parts can be significantly expensive. Most termite treatments and bonds can cost a few thousand dollars.
Water Damage
Water damage is another harmful problem that you might encounter. That’s because it can affect your home significantly if ignored. It can also endanger major components, forcing you to spend more on repairs. Water damage can result from poor exterior drainage, plumbing leaks, or roofing problems that will end in an intrusion. It can also result in mold growth, wood rot, and structural issues, attracting termites to infest your property.
It might be best to call experts specializing in water damage restoration or treatment if you notice dripping leaks, standing water, and moisture. It’ll be best in examining and treating the root cause of the problem. It’ll also be the most efficient way of getting a quote. Water damage is an expensive problem you should address. That’s because it can significantly damage the property you’re planning to buy.
If you go on a vacation and return to a burst pipe, you’ll be dealing with thousands in repair and damage.
Electrical
Electrical issues are dangerous, so it’s best to hire a licensed electrician to handle the problems listed by the inspector. Older homes often have out-of-code, outdated, and faulty wiring. Flickering lights and loose outlets are also dangerous because they can put your family in danger. Inspectors also tend to find non-ground fault circuit interrupter outlets installed near areas with water, like the kitchen and bathroom. GCFI outlets turn off when wet, making them the safest choice for your property.
Final Thoughts
It’ll be wise to check the inspector’s report before investing in a specific property. It can help negotiate the repairs or price, depending on the work you’ll have to deal with before moving in. Once your dream house passes the inspection, you’re ready.