Things Home Inspectors Look for during an Inspection

Home inspectors play an integral role in the home buying process. They have saved many buyers from spending far more than they should.

A home inspector is a trained professional who walks through the home and conducts a thorough inspection of the structure of the house.

If there are any faults found in the systems of the house, then s/he records them in that report.

The potential buyer can then use this report to see what the overall condition of the house is. They can even use it to negotiate the asking price.

Here are a few things that home inspectors look for during an inspection:

#1 – A thorough roof inspection

Roofs generally last about 25 years, if it has been properly installed and re-shingled.

But many pre-owned roofs don’t have a new roof. The structure of an old roof can very easily fall apart within a few years of buying the house.

A home inspector can investigate the roof for any faults and they can tell you by when the roof will have to be replaced.

They will look for things like loss of texture, missing, loose, or curled shingles, excessive algae growth, and uneven or soft spots. 

#2 – Home inspectors crunch down on water damage

Water damage can cause big problems if it is not identified and dealt with immediately.

A minor crack in the foundation can cause water to seep in and this can lead to serious issues mould growth and electrical damage.

Home inspectors can identify these problems by looking carefully at the plumbing, foundation, roof, windows, and exterior of the home.

They specifically look for red flags like moisture in the ceiling, bubbling or peeling paint, wet insulation, and water staining around the window frames and flooring. 

#3 – Home inspectors investigate faulty electrical systems

Electrical systems are very sensitive and can be a hazard to the entire household.

Electrical malfunctions can happen at any time and most of the time the homeowner doesn’t even realize there is a serious electrical fault.

Home inspectors look at visible wiring to ensure that it is in good condition.

Some of the faults they keep an eye out for are exposed splicing and wiring, painted outlets, modified electrical panels, aluminum wiring, and inadequately grounded plugs.

Once they have investigated these faults, they can then recommend a reputable electrician to work on the electrical systems. 

#4 – Checking foundational faults 

The foundation of a house needs to be in excellent condition, or it could lead to structural damage over time.

Home inspectors inspect the soundness of the structure and this includes inspecting the soil around the house.

If the ground is dry during the summer, the soil contracts and pulls away from the foundational wall. This can cause water to flow into the gaps and it can lead to water damage.

One of the most important things home inspectors look out for is cracks or shifts in the walls. Other things include, bouncy or uneven floors, gaps around the walls and door frames, and leaning stairs and chimneys. 

#5 – Inspecting the heating and cooling systems

The ventilation system of the house might not seem like a big deal but it can lead to major problems if left unchecked.

It can break down over time and this can lead to poor air quality in the home.

Home inspectors run the systems through heating and cooling cycles to ensure that it is functioning properly. Some of the issues they look out for are rust around the furnace or air-conditioning unit, dirty air filters, cracked ductwork, and asbestos insulation. 

Home inspectors play a vital role in ensuring that the house is up to standard before you buy it. Without them, more people would buy homes that end up costing them fortunes to fix.