11 Common Home Inspection Issues & Solutions
Common Home Inspection Issues
Scheduling a home inspection can be the scariest part of buying a home. You may not know what to expect from a home inspection. You might be worried your dream home has defects that will cost a ton. Usually not the case.
Although issues are commonly discovered in all home inspections, the good news is that most problems can be fixed. Instead of thinking of a home inspection like a dreaded bad report card, consider it an opportunity to solve a problem before it gets worse.
Here are the top 11 issues most commonly found by home inspectors:
1. Faulty Wiring:
This is a serious issue that is frequently linked with house fires. Outdated fuse boxes, wiring that is insufficient for carrying its load demand and missing GFCI plugs are some of the most frequently discovered issues.
Solution: Contact a qualified electrician to update electrical system components.
2. Poor Drainage:
Over time, a house and landscape will settle. This can affect the original grade that was designed for proper drainage. Shrubs in landscape beds may have grown significantly and now be too close to the house. Overhanging tree branches can also contribute to drainage issues. Poor drainage creates water intrusion risk when water is no longer diverted away from the home.
Solution: Contact a professional landscaper to correct grade conditions within a 10 foot perimeter around the home and correct contributing vegetation issues.
3. Improperly Draining Gutters:
If gutters are not operating efficiently, water may overflow, seep down the side of a home and become an intrusion risk.
Solution: Clean debris out of gutters. Replace any damaged components. Use splash pans.
4. Damp Basement:
Homes that experience improper drainage may have basements that show signs of water intrusion, such as stains on the floor or walls, a powdery residue on the surfaces of floors and walls, or growth of mold and mildew.
Solution: Correcting an improper grade or solving gutter problems should correct the cause of the problem. To further protect against water intrusion, apply a waterproof sealant to basement walls and floor.
5. Roofing Issues:
Common findings of missing or damaged shingles and flashings can be resolved with a service call to a professional roofing company.
6. Foundation Problems:
The dreaded words “foundation problem” may not be as serious as it sounds. It could be something as simple as a crack.
Solution: A minor crack can be filled with products like epoxy or silicone caulk. More serious issues, like a foundation that is no longer level, will need to repaired by a foundation repair expert.
7. Poor Plumbing:
Leaky pipes, sinks, toilets, etc., can lead to health problems. Leaks can cause fungus, mold and mildew to develop. Drinking water could become contaminated by raw sewage. A home’s structural components can also be affected by water damage.
Solution: A qualified plumber can identify the source of the leak and repair it properly.
8. Ventilation Concerns:
Bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans are key to removing moisture from rooms that frequently see higher levels of condensation. If they are not operating properly, it will be noted on an inspection report.
Solution: Install new fans.
9. Heating Issues:
A home’s heating system needs to operate correctly not only for the sake of comfort for occupants, but also for the sake of safety. Dirty furnaces and filters, vegetation growth impeding outdoor condensation units and poor ventilation are common issues. Ignoring early signs of problems can lead to much costlier repairs down the road.
Solution: Consistently perform routine HVAC maintenance. A system’s regular maintenance technician will be familiar with the system and can efficiently address repair needs.
10. General Maintenance:
If you’ve let a few things go, an inspection report will reflect this.
Solution: Pay attention to detail and repair or replace things like: loose caulk, peeling paint, worn carpeting, damaged flooring, cracked sidewalks and driveway, etc.
11. Structural Problem:
Signs like cracks in walls or sticking doors and windows may indicate structural flaws.
Solution: A qualified contractor can determine the reason for sticking doors or a crack in the ceiling and recommend the proper course of action to restore your home’s structural integrity.
If you have questions or need to schedule a home inspection in Southeast Michigan, feel free to drop us a line. Trademark Home Inspectors are highly qualified, trained and certified by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. You can rely on a professional inspector to perform your home inspection and environmental tests to your satisfaction.