The home-buying process is a rollercoaster of emotions. You’re excited, nervous, and exhausted after spending months searching for the right place to live.
Axios Home Inspection climbs on roofs and burrows into crawlspaces to carefully review every aspect of a potential home. They’ll note things as significant as a load-bearing wall needing repair and as minor as mismatched baseboards.
Home inspectors check the exterior of a property for cracks and damage and examine the roof and plumbing. They also look at the interior of a home for any signs of damage to walls, cabinets and furniture. In addition, they’ll test electrical outlets and receptacles to ensure they’re working properly.
One of the top reasons homes fail a home inspection is due to old wiring. This is a big issue, especially in older homes. The wiring in homes built before the 1920s can be extremely dangerous, since they’re often made of stranded aluminum wires or knob-and-tube wiring. These antiquated systems pose major fire hazards and can make a home uninsurable for buyers.
Another issue with old wires is that the insulation on them can start to break down and lead to short circuits, which can cause fires in homes. As a result, if you have old wires in your home and want to sell it, you should have them professionally inspected by an electrician before you try to put it on the market.
In addition to aging wiring, home inspectors will also look for aluminum branch circuit wiring and light bulbs that emit too much heat. These problems can cause house fires, which are serious issues that can lead to costly repair bills and health problems.
The good news is, you can usually fix these issues before you sell your home. If you have a home inspection done before you list it, you can ask an electrician to replace the wires and switch out old bulbs for LED ones that don’t produce much heat. This will improve the safety of your home and give it a more updated look, which can help you sell it faster.
If a buyer sees serious issues with the home during its inspection, they can walk away from the sale or request that you make some repairs before closing. This can be a good way to speed up the sales process and reduce stress for both parties. It’s important to choose a licensed and certified home inspector who is insured to protect you from any mistakes they might make during the inspection.
Home inspectors find plumbing issues all the time, and if they’re not caught, they can lead to expensive repairs down the road. A home’s plumbing system has many different components, including the water heater, washing machine and dryer, bathroom and kitchen faucets and more. Home inspectors look at all of these to ensure that they’re working properly.
Faulty pipes are often a big deal because they can cause damage to your home’s structure and your personal health. A leaking water pipe can damage the walls, floors and carpet of your home, which means costly repair bills. It can also lead to mold and mildew. You can avoid these problems by hiring a professional to perform a thorough home inspection before you buy or put your house on the market.
Older homes can have a variety of plumbing problems, including faulty pipework, corroded or broken pipes and water leaks. Pipes that are made of iron or galvanized steel are prone to rusting, which can affect the pressure and flow of the home’s water supply. Home inspectors may also discover that the piping is made of polyethylene or polybutylene, which have been banned in the due to their harmful side effects.
Other issues home inspectors may find include a clogged drain or toilet, leaking sewage lines, and faulty gas pipes. These issues are not only expensive to fix, but they can be dangerous for the home’s occupants. In addition, they can increase the cost of your monthly utility bill, leading to overspending and debt. Having these issues in your new home can lead to an unmanageable stress, especially during the transition period, which is why it’s important to have a home inspection before you move in.
While a home inspection can be costly, it is worth the investment. Skipping a home inspection can lead to major problems later on, including costly repairs and even a failed sale. It’s better to spend a few hundred dollars on a professional home inspection before you move into your new home than to run the risk of losing a large sum of money because of hidden issues down the road.
Roof leaks are one of the top issues that can cost homeowners money, especially if they go unrepaired. Leaks that occur from the roof can wreak havoc on the interior of your home and, if left unattended, can damage the structure. There are many causes of a leaky roof, including poor maintenance, age of the roof, and broken or missing shingles.
Leaks can also occur from chimney vents and roof penetrations. These often have rubber boots that seal around the opening, but over time these can crack and allow moisture to enter. Regular inspections are the best way to ensure that these boots remain tight and sealing well.
Water stains on the ceiling are another sign of a roof leak. These can be caused by leaks or condensation in the attic, and they are an indicator that there could be water damage to the drywall below. If you see these stains, it is important to take action immediately as a leaky roof can cause mold and structural damage to your home.
While a leaky roof may be a problem, there are many things that you can do to protect your investment and prevent further damage. The first thing to do is to find a container that can catch the water and place it under the leak. You should also regularly check your attic and crawl spaces to ensure there are no signs of damage or mold from water infiltration.
You should also check for cracks in the shingles and flashing. Depending on the size of the crack, these can be repaired with roof repair materials. It is recommended to hire a professional when repairing or replacing your roof to ensure it is done properly and with quality material. You should also check your gutters frequently to make sure they are clear and able to drain the water quickly during rainy weather. Having leaves and debris build up in your gutters can lead to water dams that cause the water to back up onto the roof, leading to a leaky roof. This can be prevented by routinely cleaning your gutters and performing roof maintenance, such as removing debris and keeping the area around chimneys and skylights free of vegetation.
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in dark and damp areas, making attics, basements, and crawl spaces prime breeding grounds. It releases spores into the air, which can cause itchy eyes and skin rashes in some people. In extreme cases, it can even cause breathing problems. If a home inspection turns up mold, it should be addressed as soon as possible.
During the home inspection, inspectors will look for visible mold growth. If they find any, they will take a sample of the mold and send it to a laboratory for analysis. This will identify the type and concentration of mold spores in the air and on surfaces. Inspectors will also examine HVAC, plumbing, and construction materials to determine if they have been affected by mold.
If the inspector finds that there is a significant problem with mold, they will recommend that the homeowner have it professionally removed. This is a costly process, but it is necessary to prevent further damage and protect the health of the family. Often, a professional remediation service will also repair the source of the moisture to prevent mold from returning.
Although not all home inspectors offer mold testing, there are a number of companies that specialize in this area. A quick online search should reveal qualified professionals in your area. In addition to a mold test, these companies may perform other tests on the property, including radon, pests, and water quality.
Mold is one of the most common issues that can affect a home inspection. But it shouldn’t deter potential buyers from purchasing the home if it is discovered in time. The typical contract provides a specific inspection period, which allows the buyer to rescind their purchase if they cannot satisfy all of the conditions in the agreement. During this time, the buyer can have the mold remedied or negotiate with the seller to fix it before closing. If the mold is discovered after the contract has expired, the buyer may not have the same rights to rescind the agreement or ask for a refund of their deposit.