Facts About Home Inspections For Home Owners And Homes

By dreamaker | Feb 13, 2011 | 0 Comments | Rating: 1

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What You Need To Know About Home Inspections

Follow That Inspector Like He Had your Wallet

Facts about home inspections for home owners and homes is an article that will make you aware of the items that need to be checked in any complete home inspection. If you don't know what must be addressed then you have no way of knowing if the job is being done right.

This is perhaps the most important aspect of purchasing a home and neglecting this step can cost thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in unknown repair costs. Having a good inspector come in and survey all areas of your potential purchase prior to signing on the dotted line, can make for a happy home down the line.

When you hire an inspector, you are taking the word of a complete stranger. He is evaluating the most expensive purchase you can make for defects. Most of us buy a home and have no idea of where to look and what to check for potential future issues.

This is where we usually hire a pro. We look in the phone book and we call the one who's ad corresponds with our budget. The bigger the ad, usually means the higher price. Then we make the call they come and in about an hour they finish and go off to make the report.

If you have a nice friendly inspector, they may inform you of their findings right there. If they are of a corporate nature as is the case with larger companies, you may have to wait a day or two for the report.

Trusting someone we just met in this way without at least a basic knowledge of what they should be doing, is blind faith and dangerous. Also it can be financially devastating.

Home Inspection Points Of Interest

hen you initially find someone that you feel comfortable with, they should supply you with a detailed list of what the inspection includes. At least this way you can compare apples for apples between companies.

Some will go on the roof and some may look at it with binoculars, but finding out which, is a good thing. We're looking for the most for our money and the most sincere interested company from all of our choices.

Once you choose a company and they arrive at the home, Usually they will start at the top of the house or the roof and work their way down. Some will go the other way but if they are all over the place then a red flag should be up already as organization is the key to not missing anything.

The roof needs thorough inspection and they should be able to tell you not only how old it is but how long it will be until it needs a new roof. How many layers of shingles exist is another concern. Three is the limit on most homes and after that the roof will need to be stripped to re shingle.

Coming down into the attic, a good inspection of the venting and any potential heat loss, as well as the structural elements should be noted. Any sign of insect or rodent infestation should be addressed as well as how they got in. Repairs will be recommended in your report.

Inspecting The Living Area Of Your Home

Once the Attic inspection has been completed, it will be time to move down into the main floor or the  next floor down. Starting with any bathrooms, all plumbing and heating should be checked for leaks and all faucets run to inspect drains. Make sure any bathtubs are filled to the top and then drained, some leaks only show when the tub is filled.

Each toilet should be flushed multiple times to check for wax seal leaks or faulty mechanical equipment. Under sinks and cabinets for any signs of past moisture, or standing water. Check all sink drains for proper operation. Bubbling or slow draining sinks may be a sign they're not properly vented.

All electricle outlets need to be tested for functionality and proper ground. Lighting should be inspected again for any faulty wiring or fixtures. Bathroom and kitchen plugs must be GFI protected. Garbage disposals should be run with water running. Dishwashers as well should be run through at least one cycle.

Floors walls and cielings get a visual inspection for any signs of moisture or bad plaster or sheetrock. Paint quality should be noted. All windows are inspected for air leaks or cracks in the glass. Vapor locks between panes on multipane windows can fog up if the seal is lost. This will make it neccessary to replace at least the sash.

Any fireplaces should be inspected both for usability and safety. Flues can be clogged and other chimney issues that can cost a bundle to remedy.

Coming down into the basement or lowest level. We usually find the utilities here. This will include any heating and Air conditioning equipment. Water mains and piping and the entire house drainage system.All of these items need complete attention and any recommended steps to repair items should always be done right away.

Foundations are a place were special attention should be paid. Sills at the top of the foundation should be checked for structural integrity as well as any insect infestations. Sills made of wood should always be above ground. Soil covering a sill on the outside of a house will hold water and the beams will absorb it like sponges and rot out quickly. Removing this extra soil or raising the house are the two very expensive solutions.

As you can see , facts about home inspections for homeowners and homes, is only the starting point. You should be well educated into what your looking for even if you are hiring someone to look for you. When your inspecting a home, you need to look at any and every aspect of the house. This is why it's always recommended that you have a professional perform this service. The report you receive, should help you negotiate the price down to cover any discovered repairs needed.

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