If you have a home inspection approaching and the nerves are beginning to set in – don’t panic! Sure, there are many issues that can come up during a home inspection, but we’re here to help you avoid those problems before they turn into a bigger situation.
First and foremost, the purpose of a home inspection is to examine the condition and safety of a real estate property. Home inspections are typically done before purchasing or selling a home but can also be performed routinely to stay up to date on the status of your home. A home inspector’s role in this process is to examine your entire house, from foundation to roof, to ensure your home is up to safety standards. An inspector will take note of where in your home may require attention or updates and will answer any questions throughout the inspection as they go.
Unfortunately, if there are issues that are not taken care of, this can dramatically slow the process of selling or buying. So we’ve compiled a list of the five common home inspection issues and how to avoid them to ensure your inspection goes smoothly and according to plan.
5 Common Home Inspection Issues
Faulty Foundation
As a home’s foundation settles over time or gets worn by common weather problems or soil conditions, it can ultimately lead to the home developing structural issues. Many signs indicate a foundation needs attention or repair – such as cracks in walls or flooring, sagging or slanting floors, or sticking doors and windows.
A sure-fire way to stay on top of a faulty foundation as much as possible is simple: inspect your home. Once you know the signs of a poor foundation, you can create a list of what to examine 1-2 times a year. Paying attention to weathering or changes around your property will also help in keeping up to date on the potential status of your home’s foundation. As you monitor these changes and update your list, you’ll be able to catch problems before they get out of hand – saving you time and money.
Pest Infestations
Yeah, these are just as fun as they sound: not. Knowing if your home has a pest infestation is extremely important, and how to avoid it is even more important. Some simple signs that indicate a home has a pest problem include dead bugs indoors, signs of nesting, active pests, or pest droppings. If you begin to experience excessive amounts of these signs, it may be time to take a deep look at other areas in your house.
The best way to avoid pest infestations getting out of control is to keep your home clean and sanitary. Some simple ways you can do this are by storing items such as food or liquids in safe and enclosed containers, reducing clutter in spaces where pests commonly reside, and sealing off any holes or cracks to eliminate outside entry. Essentially, stopping an infestation in its tracks by cleaning and giving attention to the problem area (or areas) in your home will lead to a cleaner, pest-free environment.
Plumbing Issues
Plumbing issues can sometimes be the most obvious issues to spot in your home, and sometimes they can be silent issues until they’re an emergency. Some of the easiest ways to tell if your home is experiencing plumbing issues are problems such as dripping faucets, running toilets, or sewer odor. Some of the not-so-obvious signs can be issues like slow sink drainage, weak water flow, or bubbling in your ceiling or wall paint.
If your home is experiencing one, or multiple of these signs, you may want to yank out the plumbing gear and look at your internal systems. To avoid these problems getting worse, taking some basic precautionary steps and keeping up on cleaning will help lead you in the right direction.
Cleaning out your pipes monthly or bi-monthly to get out hair, grease, and gunk, fixing recurring problems as they appear, and blocking debris from entering your pipes are all great ways to avoid future plumbing issues (or emergencies).
Termite Damage
Termites often live on your home’s property, or even inside your home, for quite a while before signs begin to show. Some common signs your home has termite damage are discolored drywall, small holes in drywall, hollow-sounding walls, or peeling paint.
Although termites can be tricky, and infestations can occur more commonly than most think, termite damage is avoidable. Eliminating contact between wood and the ground and avoiding moisture accumulation on the foundation are just two examples of the many ways to avoid damage or infestations.
Wiring Issues
One of the most commonly overlooked problems of a home is wiring issues. If your home is experiencing flickering lights, hot outlets or switch plates, buzzing sounds, or sparking – your home’s wiring may need attention before the issue gets out of hand.
An easy way to avoid your home developing wiring issues is to keep your wiring systems simple. Don’t bundle too many cords together, especially underneath furniture or rugs. Avoid overloading outlets and make sure your electrical cords are in good condition with no holes, tears, or rips. Keeping your wiring systems up-to-date and simplistic will help avoid further wiring issues and costly expenses.
It may seem that there are potential hidden problems around every corner of your home, and you aren’t entirely wrong with that thought. The beauty of having a home inspection completed before buying or selling a home is to get further insight into the internal systems and hidden problems that you may not be able to see on a day-to-day basis.
Home inspections are also a perfect way to stay up to date on expenses and home updates before they become an emergency and a costly investment. Some home inspections have add-on services as well, so you can get an analysis of everything you need to know before buying or selling a home. If you happen to have some of these common home inspection issues, be sure to remain calm and figure out future steps to avoid these issues from resurfacing and how to better stay informed on your home’s internal workings.
Here at Wall to Wall, we offer roof to foundation inspections and many other services to help ensure your home is in the best condition possible. Contact us today to get your home inspection process started!
