Each
homebuyer has different ideas of what will constitute the ideal home for them, these
notions often based on particular aesthetic preferences. But one thing that unites all potential
homebuyers is the desire to find a home that is fundamentally sound—in areas
beyond the immediate sweep of the eye—and that will provide a safe,
comfortable, and efficient foundation for their life behind a new door.
This
is where the services of a home inspector come in. During a home inspection, at least 30 areas
of the home are placed under the home inspector’s “microscope.” We’ve compiled the ten most common weaknesses
uncovered in a typical home inspection.
If not addressed, these problems could cost you thousands of dollars in
the long-run. So, knowing what to look
for, and performing your own thorough pre-inspection, will help you to identify
areas for repair or improvement before they grow into costly problems.
1. Damp Basement:
If a mildew
odour is present, the inspector will be able to detect it, as this smell is
impossible to mask or eliminate. Mildew
odour is often the first indication of dampness in the basement. The inspector will also examine the walls,
checking for any signs of whitish mineral deposit just above the floor, and
will note whether you feel confident enough to store items on the floor.
Repairs can run
anywhere from $200 to $15, 000, this cost ultimately influencing the
calculation of your home’s value, so consider enlisting the help of an expert
to ensure you have a firm grasp on the bottom line before moving forward with
the sale of your home.
2. Poorly Installed/
Defective Plumbing:
In older homes,
plumbing problems and defects are very common.
The inspector will determine whether your home’s plumbing is subject to
leaking or clogging. Signs of leakage
can be visibly detected. The inspector
will test water pressure by turning on all the faucets in the highest bathroom and
then flushing the toilet. If the sound
of water is audible, this indicates that the home’s pipes may be too narrow. The inspector will also check for signs of
discolouration in the water when a faucet is first turned on. The appearance of dirty water is usually an
indication that the pipes are rusted—a water quality problem that should be
dealt with immediately.
3. Older/ Poorly-Functioning
Heating and Cooling Systems:
Heating/ cooling
systems that are older or haven’t been properly maintained can pose serious
safety and health problems. An inspector
will determine the age of your furnace and, if it is over the average life span
of a furnace (15-20 years), will likely suggest you replace it, even if it is
still in good condition. If your heating
system is a forced air gas system, the heat exchanger will be examined very
closely, as any cracks can result in the leak of poisonous carbon monoxide gas. These heat exchangers are irreparable; if
damaged, they must be replaced. While
replacing these components may seem expensive, a new system will yield heightened
efficiency, reducing monthly heating/ cooling costs substantially, and
benefiting your long-term investment.
4. Older/ Unsafe Electrical
System:
In older homes,
it is common to find undersized services, aluminum wiring, knob-and-tub wiring,
or insufficient/ badly-renovated distribution systems. When an electrical circuit is over-fused,
more amperage is drawn on the circuit than what the circuit was intended to
bear, creating a fire hazard. You’ll typically
find a 15 amp circuit in a home, with increased service for larger appliances
such as dryers or stoves. If replacing
your fuse panel with a circuit panel, expect a cost of several hundred dollars.
5. Older/ Leaking Roof:
An asphalt roof
will last an average of 15 to 20 years.
Leaks through the roof could be a sign of physical deterioration of the
asphalt shingles caused by aging, or could indicate mechanical damage caused by
any number of factors, such as a heavy storm.
If you decide your roof requires new shingles, you’ll first need to know
how many layers are beneath, in order to determine whether the roof must be
completely stripped before installing the new shingles.
6. Minor Structural Problems:
Common in older
homes, these problems range from cracked plaster to small shifts in the
foundation. While this variety of problem
isn’t large enough to cause any real catastrophe, they should be taken care of
before they grow.
7. Poor Ventilation:
Unvented
bathrooms and cooking areas can become breeding areas for mold and fungus,
which, in turn, lead to air quality issues throughout the house, triggering allergic
reactions. Mold may additionally cause damage
to plaster and window frames. These
problems should be identified and taken care of before any permanent damage is
caused.
8. Air Leakage:
A cold, drafty
home can be the result of any number of problems, such as ill-fitting doors,
aged caulking, low-quality weather strips, or poor attic seals. This nature of repair can usually be taken
care of easily and inexpensively.
9. Security Features:
An inspector
will look at the standard security features that protect your home, such as the
types of lock on the doors/ windows/ patio doors, and the smoke or carbon
monoxide detectors and where they’re located throughout the home. Check with an expert if your home is lacking
in any of these areas, in order to determine what costs to expect.
10. Drainage/ Grading Problems:
This may be the
most common problem found by home inspectors, and is a widespread catalyst of
damp and mildewed basements. Solutions
to this problem may range from the installation of new gutters and downspouts,
to re-grading the lawn and surrounding property in order to direct water away
from the house.
I am the GUY that will make a difference!
I specialize in selling homes in the in the Okanagan Valley including Westbank, West Kelowna, Peachland with a focus on Rose Valley, Lakeview Heights, West Kelowna Estates and Shannon Lake.Karen Guy, REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
C 250.878.3605 O 250.768.8001
http://www.connectwithkaren.com/
