Buying a home is a huge investment. For this reason, before laying any money down on a home, you need to ensure that it’s everything it seems to be.
How can you do this? By closely inspecting it for defects. Homes can have a number of different defects, all of which can be deal-breakers as it pertains to making a purchase.
Wondering what to look for when inspecting a house? Read on! This article will tell you everything you need to know.
What to Look for When Inspecting a House
Some aspects of a home inspection are easy and require only the naked eye. Other aspects, however, require particular tools which the typical person does not have in his or her possession. For this reason, it’s typically wise to utilize the services of a professional inspector.
Nonetheless, this is what to look for during home inspections.
Wet Basements
If the house you’re looking at has a basement, it’s of utmost importance that you check its basement for moisture. Moisture is an absolute basement killer. Not only does it result in mold growth and musty smells, it results in foundation deterioration as well.
To identify the existence of moisture, you should keep an eye out for mildew stains on the walls. If you have one, it’s also a good idea to utilize a moisture meter. This will indicate whether or not your basement has too much moisture in its atmosphere.
Mold
Mold generally grows in wet and dark areas. While it’s most typically found in the basements of homes, it can also be found inside walls and ceilings.
In addition to looking for mold with your eyes, it’s also a good idea to have the home professionally tested for the substance. A professional testing will indicate if there are even trace amounts of mold in the home.
Deteriorated Roofing
If the home you’re looking at has deteriorated roofing, you’ll probably notice right away. However, if you don’t notice right away, you should still give the roof a close look.
In some cases, moisture gets under shingles and rots away the roof’s wooden structure. You’re going to want to take a look at this structure to ensure that it has not been negatively impacted.
Problems With Plumbing
The last thing you want to do when you move into a new house is to replace the plumbing. For this reason, you need to carry out an in-depth assessment of all of the plumbing in the house.
Not only should you check for leaks and clogs, you should also check for water pressure. This can be done by running a number of different appliances at once. If one appliance fails to keep up, it would be wise to ask for a plumbing repair.
Lead Paint
If the home you’re thinking about buying was built before the latter half of the 20th century, it could contain lead paint. As you might know, lead paint can be dangerous, particularly for children.
For this reason, you need to check for it. If you think the home might have lead paint, it’s a good idea to utilize the services of a lead paint testing company.
Faulty HVAC System
When inspecting a home, you’ll want to run both its heater and its air conditioner to ensure that both are working correctly. You’ll also want to look up their serial numbers so that you can find out how old they are.
While air conditioners last for between 10 and 15 years, furnaces last for between 15 and 20 years.
Cracked Foundation
If there’s any one thing you’re going to look at when inspecting your prospective home, it should be its foundation. A crumbling foundation is indicative of a crumbling house; one which you’ll need to make major upgrades to in the near future.
Depending on the amount of damage done to a foundation, it could be a wise idea to start looking for another house. Small cracks are not a huge cause for concern. Long, wide cracks are a sign of major destruction.
Asbestos
If a home was built before the 1990s, it could very well have asbestos hiding in its walls. Asbestos is a toxic substance which was widely used to manufacture insulation in the 20th century.
Long-term exposure to the substance can result in a number of deadly diseases. For this reason, it’s wise to have an experienced asbestos abatement company test for it and remove it.
Impairments in the Electrical System
It’s vital that, when inspecting your prospective home, you take a close look at its electrical system. This system can have a wide range of problems, some of which are a functional impairment, and some of which are a detriment to your safety.
There are a wide range of things you’ll need to check when completing this task, all of which are listed here.
Sub-par Flooring
Another thing you’ll want to look out for is sub-par flooring. Flooring which has been subjected to moisture, insects and exceedingly dry climates could have some damage done to it.
Not only should you feel the flooring for dead spots, you should smell the flooring to determine whether or not it is musty.
Radon Gas
One of the things you’re going to want to test for is radon gas, an invisible, but toxic gas which can be harmful to those who are exposed to it over a long period of time.
To test for radon, you’re going to need a special testing implement. While you could conceivably purchase and use this implement on your own, it’s recommended that you utilize a service that is qualified to handle such matters. This will ensure that any traces of radon are detected.
Have Your Prospective Home Inspected By a Professional
Are you on the verge of buying a home? Hoping to have it inspected first? Looking for a professional home inspector in northeastern Ohio?
Class Home Inspection is the company to call. Fully certified to inspect homes, we will ensure that the home you’re thinking about buying doesn’t contain any defects. We know exactly what to look for when inspecting a house.
Schedule an inspection today!