Most common home inspection problems
As a homeowner you want your home to be in tip-top shape. To do this you must know what the most common home inspection problems are. This is especially so for those who want to sell their homes. Home inspection findings will vary from region to region, they will be different in cold weather damp environments, versus dry desert environments.
Nonetheless even attentive homeowners find that a few things always end up being highlighted in the home inspection report. Some of the most common home inspection problems that home inspectors discover are discussed in this article.
Common moisture problems
This is common for homeowners whose basements have not been moisture sealed. The home inspector is sure to note this down especially where the basement is damp or has a musty smell.
The problem of moisture will also cause the inspector, and/or the termite inspector to look more seriously into the presence of termites in the home. Termites love moist spaces. Therefore if your home has moisture, they may already be making it their home as well. Have this common problem looked at before the inspection.
Inspection problem of broken gutters and down spouts
The home inspector looks into this area as it could affect your foundation. When your gutters are blocked or damaged, the flow of rain water is affected. Blockage could cause water to run down your walls and onto your foundation.
Water damage to the foundation can be very costly to repair. Therefore don’t ignore those gutters when doing regular maintenance.
Home inspectors always look at faulty grading problems
As already noted, water is an enemy to your foundation. One of the most common problems that home inspectors encounter when there is damage to the foundation is a faulty grade.
In this case the land around the house flows towards the house rather than away from it. This causes rain water and snowmelt to flow towards your house. Correct this problem early before it leads to other problems.
Common problems of sticking doors and loose handles
This is one of the most common inspection problems noted in area with a high moisture content. As a homeowner check that your door handles are tight and that the doors aren’t sticking. The inspector will definitely note this down.
The inspector finds power outlets that aren’t wired correctly, GFCI outlets that do not work
Again these are very common problems reported by home inspectors. When you’ve lived in a home for a long time, you’ll tend to ignore the outlets especially in a low traffic area. The inspector will test all receptacles which are not blocked. Therefore you may want to check that all your outlets are working properly.
Most home have problems of missing exterior caulking
Many home inspectors note this problem in their reports. It seems like homeowners are not too keen on replacing exterior caulking or sealant. As a homeowner, walk around your house and note the areas where the caulking is missing. It is an easy DIY project to correct this.
Are your breaker panels unsafe?
This is a common problem that creates a fire hazard. This could be caused by the breaker amperage not being matched with the correct grade of wire. The wires may be loose or have some corrosion on them. You may have older wiring with frayed wire covering, or other issues. Have a professional do a check to make sure that your breaker panel is safe.
Location specific problems
Different states have different requirements for the safety of a home. In Nevada, and California residents are required to have earthquake straps on their water heaters. Some states require smoke detectors in each room of the house. Find out what your state requires and make the necessary additions before the home inspector arrives.
These are just a few of the most common home inspection problems noted down by home inspectors. Start making the necessary repairs and adjustments to keep up the value of your home.
