Over 70% of homeowners believe that a home inspection can help them avoid problems before buying their house. That is even more important when you consider that each year millions of home inspections take place.
If you are thinking about buying a house, then you should definitely consider getting a home inspection. However, it is best not to go in unprepared or you may be surprised at what the inspector could find.
Don’t worry, home inspections are not a “pass or fail” type of test, and every house is bound to have some problems. But then you can get the issues resolved before you actually buy the house.
In this short article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common home inspection findings.
8 Common Home Inspection Findings
Sometimes a home inspection can reveal far too many problems to make the house seem worth it. Larger issues may make you change your mind about even buying the home. But in many cases, the issues are actually not that big of a deal. Here are some of the most common issues you may find during an inspection.
1. Wear and Tear
The most common problem with any house is also the least important. This is includes normal wear and tear for a house that hasn’t been lived in for a while.
This can include scrapes and dents in the walls or floors, old ragged carpeting, and walls that badly need painted.
Fortunately, this problem is the easiest to fix. Even if you do some minor repairs and painting yourself, it will be fairly inexpensive and simple.
2. Lots of Insects
It is normal for there to be bugs in any house, especially one that has been vacant for a while. But if you see lots of cockroaches or ants, it means they may be living in the walls which could possibly reveal a larger problem.
If the inspector finds any termites, that is even worse because it means insects could have potentially destroyed the support beams in the walls, making the house’s foundation weak.
If there are a few harmless bugs, an exterminator can take care of the problem quickly, but wood-eating insects are always trouble.
3. Problems with Draining
Whenever a new home is built, the foundation of the house is slightly raised higher than the surrounding yard. This way rain can drain away from the house.
If there are issues with the foundation then rain can instead start to form pools around the home and lead to water damage. This can mean weak support and possibly even lead to mold which can be expensive to fix.
4. HVAC Issues
A good inspector will check all your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. HVAC systems should last a minimum of 15 years, so you don’t really want a house if this will need replaced immediately as it can be quite expensive.
Even if the system is working, there could be different problems such as too much heat trapped in the attic, open seams in chimney flues, or cracks in water tanks. Depending on the severity of the problem, it may or may not be easy to fix.
5. Problems with the Roofing
A good roof should last you more than 20 years. Preferably you shouldn’t choose a home that desperately needs a whole new roof as that will cost a pretty penny.
Even if there is an obstacle with the roof though, you may not necessarily have to replace the whole thing. If there are broken or missing shingles, you may be able to just add, replace, or fix what is already there.
6. Plumbing Issues
Sometimes problems with the plumbing are relatively minor. A small leak in a kitchen sink may be easy to fix, or valves in the toilets can be replaced to fix a toilet that won’t stop running.
Other times plumbing issues are much more serious. Broken pipes within walls can lead to hidden leaks, water damage, and mold. Tearing out the walls to fix these issues will take some time and money.
7. Electrical Problems
Electrical problems are another one that could range a lot in size and scope. Sometimes you just need to upgrade a few things, make sure no wires are exposed, and replace some light bulbs.
But major electrical issues are definitely not something you want. Some houses have light switches that lead to nowhere, lights that constantly flicker, and exposed wiring which is an immediate danger. Rewiring an entire house is not cheap, and you’ll need an expert electrician who can get the house in a safe condition again.
8. Foundation Problems
Problems with the foundation are the worst thing to find since some structural problems are the most expensive and could potentially make or break the deal for you. You don’t want a house with foundation problems.
If there are cracks in the foundation under the house, those need to be taken care of immediately. The inspector also needs to make sure the walls are flat and the doors and windows are even. Sometimes the foundation has warped so much that doors and windows can’t even open and close anymore!
Choosing a Reliable Home Inspector
You never want to buy a house without getting an inspection first. A good inspector can find problems so you can address them before it is ever time to buy the home.
After conducting a thorough inspection, they should give you a detailed report of all the pros and cons of the house. You can even go along while they’re working so you can see the most common home inspection findings yourself.
They can give you their professional opinion on what needs to be fixed immediately (such as foundation issues) and what can be a DIY project once you move in (painting the bathroom walls).
A good inspector can help you save money in the long run and help you feel much safer about buying your new house. If you need any help getting your new house up to safety regulations, just use our contact page and we’ll help you get an inspection as soon as possible.