7 Common issues found during home inspections

Buying a home is a big financial and life decision. Whether the home is recently built or the fixer upper you have been dreaming of, having a home inspection is a great way to access a home and find areas in need of maintenance. A home inspection is not a pass or fail test, but instead a tool for negotiating repairs that need to be made before closing. While some of the components in a home may never need repair there are others that are more frequently found needing attention during a home inspection. ​​​​​​

1. Roofing issues
The roof system is constantly being exposed to the elements which decreases its lifespan and ability to shed water as your roof ages. There are several different materials commonly used in roofing systems all with different lifespans. The most common being asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and concrete tiles. Asphalt shingles are made of a fiberglass material covered in mineral granules to protect from the sun’s UV rays. Asphalt shingles are often chosen for their low cost, however they also have the shortest lifespan of the three common materials at around 15 years on average. While clay and concrete tiles are more expensive their lifespan is far longer at 50+ years.

2. Electrical defects
Old wiring systems can become worn out and pose a fire risk. Electrical defects should be fixed immediately because they are considered a safety concern. Double tapped wires, exposed junction boxes, improper grounding, and missing GFCI outlets are all common safety concerns found during a home inspection. One thing we see in older homes is the use of extension cords permanently to reach outlets. ​

3. Drainage concerns
One frequently forgotten issue is surface grading and gutters. The gutters work to divert water off the roof and away from the home through their downspouts. Finally the surface grade aids in water drainage with a 5% or greater slope away from the home. This synergistic relationship of two systems helps prevent water intrusion at the foundation and exterior envelope of the home.

4. Inadequate insulation and poor ventilation
​Typically in older homes we see the attic space has energy efficiency issues. A lack of ventilation can make an attic extremely hot in the summer or worse, trap moisture in the attic space causing more issues. Inadequate insulation can also reduce the energy efficiency of your home causing increased heating/cooling costs.

5. HVAC concerns
​We often see units with delayed maintenance, aged or damaged components such as refrigerant lines, and improper installations. Living in a climate where we depend on our AC unit all summer, you want to ensure everything is in working order before your move in date.

6. Plumbing and components
The most obvious defect we find is a leak but sometimes there are less obvious defects such as problematic flexible drain piping. We often find this piping when inspecting a home and question the professionalism of the install. The problem with these pipes is their design allows debris and hair to become trapped in the pipe, clogging it and preventing drainage. Some other smaller concerns we find are low water pressure at fixtures, slowly draining sinks and leaky flapper valves on toilets.

7. Garage door components
​Another frequently used system on our home that is forgotten about when it comes to maintenance is the garage door system. The garage door needs to be balanced to efficiently move on its tracks. A door out of balance can be difficult to lift causing increased wear on the opener. Springs with delayed maintenance can also cause the door to close unevenly leaving spaces for unwelcome visitors such as mice or other pests.

Overall there are so many different components to access when buying a home, you want to ensure that you don’t miss any concerns or fine details. The best way to get a firm understanding of your home’s condition is to hire an InterNACHI certified inspector to evaluate your home. ​