Top Home Inspection Issues

Here are some common problems that general home inspections bring to light.

1. Plumbing:

• Leaking around exposed pipes, particularly with washing machines.
• Outdated pipes. It's common to find old Polybutylene pipes, which your inspector will recommend replacing.

2. Electrical:

• Ungrounded outlets. You can recognize these by their two-slot configuration versus the three-slot configuration of a grounded outlet. Most inspectors will recommend that you upgrade to grounded outlets.
• Improperly wired breaker boxes. Common hazards include two circuits on a single-pole breaker, oversized breakers, double-pole breakers that supply two single circuits, and wires that cross over the panel's center.

3. Heating:

• Leaks in piping or heating unit; air ducts that need cleaning.
• Not enough insulation. Insulation requirements vary by location, but an improperly insulated home will always lead to high energy bills.

4. Drainage:

• A wet basement is a problem because it indicates that water isn't properly draining away from the home.
• Mold in the air. When water isn't draining properly, it can result in mold in the air. Mold can also be a byproduct of dry rot.

5. Roof:

• Torn and cracked shingles, or flashing that's not properly installed. Each of these can cause roof leakage.

6. Walls:
• Bowed or damaged walls and signs of mold or water problems

7. Dry rot:

This occurs when fungus grows in your home's wood due to high condensation. The affected wood will have to be replaced.
Another main concern is figuring out why the condensation is occurring in the first place.

Home Inspection Myth: You don't need a home inspection for a newly constructed home. Not so. Property defects come upon new construction all the time. Just because the house is new doesn't mean it was built properly.

Home Inspection Myth: You don't need a home inspection if you're buying a home warranty. Home warranties rarely cover everything. You'll want to know of any potential problems before your closing so that you the seller can take care of them.