Common Home Inspection Findings

A property sale may succeed or fail based on the findings of an inspection, especially if potential purchasers have questions about the items included in the report.

The top 13 results from house inspections that you may encounter following the examination are listed below.

Before that, if you do not know what a home inspection is, click on the article what is a home inspection to find out.

Structural Issues

During a home inspection, structural concerns are a top priority and maybe a big red signal for future troubles.

The following are a few of the structural problems that are frequently noted in house inspection reports:

• Foundation wall cracks: Horizontal fissures are especially dangerous because they might be signs of movement or settlement in the foundation. However, depending on their size and position, vertical fissures might also be troublesome.
• Uneven flooring: Sloping or uneven flooring may indicate difficulties with the substructure that supports the home or with the foundation.
• Leaning or bowing walls: Walls that sag outward or inward may be signs of foundation issues that require immediate attention.

Roof Problems

Roof problems among the common home inspection issues are as follows:

• Sagging Rooflines: A sagging roofline might be a sign of structural issues with the roof's supports or trusses.
• Shingles that are missing or damaged: Missing or damaged shingles might affect the roof's ability to keep out water, which could result in leaks and possible structural damage.
• Problems with flashing: Water intrusion around vents, skylights, and chimneys can result in rot or other structural issues if the flashing is broken or improperly placed.

Electrical Issues

Electrical problems are among the most common home inspection findings and can be expensive to fix and pose a serious risk to public safety.

The following are a few of the most typical electrical issues found during a house inspection:

• Aluminum wire: Aluminum wire is a common feature of homes constructed between 1965 and 1973, however, it can burn out more quickly than copper wiring.
• Knob-and-Tube Wiring: The wires in this antiquated wiring scheme are insulated by porcelain knobs and tubes.
• Frayed or Exposed Wiring: Fires, arcing, and electrical shocks can result from exposed or broken wires.
• Overloaded Circuits: When too many appliances or other equipment are plugged into a circuit, it can overheat, regularly trip the breakers, or even worse, start an electrical fire.
• Double Taps: It is a fire danger and should be handled when two wires are connected to a single breaker slot.
• Outdated Electrical Panel: Modern residences may require more electricity than older panels can provide.
• Ungrounded Outlets: There is a higher chance of electrical shocks when outlets are not properly grounded.

If you do not have much information about this subject, click on the article electrical inspection to find more.

Plumbing Concerns

Plumbing problems are crucial to find during a home inspection as they can result in health risks, water damage, and mold development.

The following are common problems found during home inspections that inspectors check for:

• Visible Leaks: Over time, even tiny leaks have the potential to do a great deal of harm.
• Water stains on walls or ceilings may be an indication of previous or current leaks that need to be looked into further.
• Slow Drains: Clogs, mineral accumulation, and venting problems can all lead to slow drains in sinks, tubs, and showers.
• Backups: A blockage or malfunction in the primary drainage system might be indicated by sewer line backups, which can be a major issue.
• Leaking Taps
• Operational Toilets
• Low Water Pressure: A number of things, including blocked pipes and malfunctioning pressure regulators, can lead to low water pressure throughout the house.

Note: if you do not care about plumbing inspection, you may find yourself struggling with removing mold. Because molds grow mostly in wet environments. If you do not know what a mold inspection is, click on the article mold inspection.

HVAC System Problems

Inadequate HVAC performance might raise red flags for future issues during a house inspection and influence your purchase decision.

The following are a few of the most typical problems with HVAC systems found during house inspections:

• Unclean Filters: Air filters that are clogged limit airflow, lower efficiency, and lower the quality of air within buildings.
• Unclean Coils: The accumulation of dust, debris, and filth on the condenser and evaporator coils can seriously impair the system's capacity to efficiently heat or cool.
• Absence of Maintenance documents: The system's possible lifespan and overall level of care are called into question by the lack of documents pertaining to normal maintenance.
• Outdated System
• System Sizing: An oversized system might result in short-cycling (frequent on-and-off cycles) and inefficiency, while an undersized system may find it difficult to maintain acceptable temperatures throughout the home.
• Poor Installation
• Damp Ducts
• Inadequate balance, inadequate ductwork size, and blocked vents can all contribute to uneven airflow.

Insulation and Ventilation

An overview of typical insulation and ventilation discoveries made during a house examination is provided below:

• Inadequate Insulation: Inspectors will look for and measure insulation in the crawlspaces, basement, attic, and external walls.
• Compressed or Settled Insulation: Especially in attics where loose-fill insulation may be present, inspectors will be on the lookout for indications of this.
• Absence of Insulation
• Blocked Vents
• Inadequate Attic Ventilation
• Absence of Bathroom Exhaust Fans: Mold development and moisture issues are common in bathrooms lacking exhaust fans.

Grading and Drainage

Below is a summary of the things that inspectors usually check for:

• Negative Grade: The most serious grading problem is this one. A minimum of 5% slope should be present between the ground and the foundation.
• Settled Grading: As the earth around the foundation ages, it may create dips or low areas that collect water.
• Uneven Grading: Water may also be directed toward the foundation rather than away from it as a result of uneven grading.
• Inadequate Drainage: Inadequate drainage is indicated by standing water surrounding the foundation during periods of precipitation or snowmelt.
• Absence of downspouts or gutter
• Blockages in downspouts and gutters: Gutter and downspout blockages or overflow can result in water gathering around the foundation and hinder appropriate water movement.

Mold and Mildew

Unwelcome visitors to any house, mold, and mildew are frequently discovered during home inspections.

What inspectors usually look for and how to handle these possible issues are broken down here:

• Mold: On walls, ceilings, floors, around windows, or next to plumbing fixtures, inspectors will be on the lookout for patches or regions of black, green, or white mold growth.
• Mildew: Usually appearing as a superficial, flat growth on moist surfaces in bathrooms or basements, mildew can be colored gray, brown, or white.

Pest Infestations

A vigilant eye for indications of pest infestations is essential during a house inspection. Some of the most typical pest invaders that inspectors search for are listed below:

• Subterranean termites construct mud tubes as a means of transportation between their nest and the wood they eat. For these mud tubes, inspectors will search the exterior walls, crawlspaces, and foundations.
• Termites devour wood from the inside out, causing damage to it. Termite activity may be indicated by hollow-sounding wood when tapped or by visible tunnels or frass (termite droppings) in damaged wood
• Swarmer Wings: Termite swarmers' discarded wings, which they lose during mating season, may indicate a termite infestation. This is what inspectors will search for close to doors, windows, and attics.

If you are wondering about termite inspection, click on the article pest inspection to find more information.

Windows and Doors

The following is a summary of some typical window and door issues that home inspectors check for:

• Sticking or Hard to Break Seals: Examiners will look for indications of a hard seal, including moisture building up in between the panes, which can lower energy efficiency.
• Broken or Broken Glass
• Water-Related Damage or Seepage
• Old or inefficient Windows: The type of window and the possible advantages of an upgrade may be noted by inspectors.
• Clinging or Challenging to Use
• Inadequate Weather Stripping or Sweeps: Inspectors will look for weather stripping that is missing, broken, or worn out.
• Security Issues: Examiners will evaluate the doors' general level of security.

Exterior Issues

The following is a summary of some typical external problems that inspectors usually check for:

• Large cracks in driveways or walks can be ugly and may be a sign of deeper problems with the foundation.
• Deck quality: Inspectors will examine a deck's overall decking material quality as well as the structural integrity of the rails and supports.
• Exterior Paint: Any peeling, chipping, or spots that require repainting might be noted by inspectors.
• Landscaping: Overgrown vegetation around the home can collect moisture and provide an environment for bugs. Inspectors will advise appropriate trimming techniques.

Interior Issues

Here is a summary of some of the usual interior problems that inspectors check for the previously stated structural, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC problems.

Other interior problems that might come up during a house inspection include as following:

• Safety Features: Inspectors will make sure that fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, and smoke detectors are present and operating correctly.
• Appliances that are Missing or Defective: Although inspectors usually don't test appliances in great detail, they will search for any items that are missing or visibly broken.

Safety Hazards

Finding any possible safety risks that might harm residents or the property itself is an important task for a home inspector.

The following is a summary of some typical safety risks that inspectors check for:

• Electrical Hazards: Houses with aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring should be modified to comply with modern electrical rules as they provide safety risks.
• Fire Hazards: In order to identify fires or carbon monoxide leaks early on, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential. Inspectors will verify their existence and operation.
• Risks of trips and falls: Tacky carpets or rugs might lead to trips and falls. Inspectors will be on the lookout for properly placed rugs and protected carpets.
• Lead-based paint: Lead paint testing may be suggested by inspectors, particularly if the home was constructed before 1978.

How to Address Common Issues

A home inspection report can be a lengthy document outlining various findings.  Here's a general approach to tackling common issues identified during a home inspection:

• Safety Risks: It is important to take quick action to eliminate safety risks such as broken wiring, malfunctioning smoke alarms, and trip and fall hazards. They carry a significant risk to one's health and safety.
• Major Issues: Although major issues might be costly to fix in order to stop more damage or maintain the operation of the property, such as failing HVAC system, water leaks, or fractures in the foundation, must be addressed.
• Small Problems: Although small problems like cosmetic cracks, loose doorknobs, or dripping faucets can wait, they should nonetheless be documented for budgetary purposes and for future repairs.

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Conclusion

In this article, we have mentioned and explained the 13 most important common home inspection findings.

If you know what they are, you will no longer be surprised when facing one or a couple of them after inspecting your house.

We have also explored some solutions for you to prioritize and solve the common issues in your house inspection report.