Common Things That Fail a Home Inspection
Most of us generally don’t think about all the different structures and systems that make up a home, along with the unseen wear and tear your house’s components may face over time. If you’re ready to sell your home, chances are you will hire a trusted professional for a home inspection who may find some trouble areas.
Here are the most common things that “fail” a home inspection – meaning the seller might need to fix these areas or negotiate with potential buyers based on the cost of repairs.
Crumbling Foundation
When a house is first built, the foundation must be set into place. This process requires massive amounts of digging and workforce to make sure the property is firmly planted within the earth.
Foundations will last around 80 to 100 years, but if your property sits on land with high moisture levels and humidity, this number can significantly reduce its lifespan.
The most common symptoms of a faulty foundation are cracks, sagging, or signs of water leakage.
HVAC Issues
Proper heating and cooling performance are imperative in a climate like Minnesota’s. With sweltering, humid summers and bitterly cold winters, each house and resident rely on their HVAC system to be in shape for the coming seasons. A certified home inspector will check both heating and cooling units to determine their age and date of the last service.
They will also take a look at the wiring and the state of the ventilation system to determine the performance and safety of each unit. If your HVAC system doesn’t comply with the local ordinances, your home inspection might not turn out so well.
Electrical Wiring Problems
Electricity is a modern amenity we take for granted. With powerful currents running through and around our homes at all times, sooner or later, there will be serious issues to attend to.
An older house with increasing new electrical devices may be susceptible to overloading your home’s electrical system. General wear and tear over time is a concern, as exposed wires can cause an arc fault, leading to a possible house fire.
Plumbing Issues
A failing plumbing system can spell an expensive disaster to your home. Old age is a common reason for failed plumbing, especially if the current system is over 40 years old. Hard water could also be a culprit, as the heavy minerals cause buildup in your plumbing system.
Along with pipes, malfunctioning water heaters can also create a low inspection score.
Mold
Mold is quite a sneaky issue in many households. It grows anywhere moisture, and darkness gets access. Sometimes, it’s impossible to spot mold until you actively look or stumble upon it during demolition projects.
Despite how quiet mold can be, it presents several adverse health effects such as skin irritation, headaches, and respiratory issues.
Mold may have a musky smell, but sometimes it doesn’t have a scent at all. So, wherever there may have been leaks throughout your house, it’s a good idea to check for mold.
Worn Down Roofing
As you may know, the weather in Minnesota is not only rough on us but also on our homes as well. From rain, freeze and thaw cycles, and falling debris from strong wind to copious amounts of snowfall, our roofs can take a beating year after year.
If your shingles are nearing or past 20 years old, it can significantly increase your chances of inspection failure.
Old, damaged roofs can lead to problems such as:
- Mold build-up
- Water leakage
- Damaged electrical systems
- Up to $10,000 in repair costs
Lead Paint
Lead has a long-standing history of poisoning humans but wasn’t entirely excluded in our materials until recently. If your house was built before 1970, chances are you may have traces of lead-based paint around your home, even if you put a new coat on.
Lead paint testing may not be included in a typical home inspection, but if you fear you may have lead-based paint in your home, you may want to conduct an additional inspection before a buyer does.
Schedule Your Home Inspection Near Champlin, MN
At DMC Home Inspections, we offer an honest service with over 150 elements of building inspection and are InterNACHI and ASHI-certified inspection experts. We specialize in all types of inspections listed above and provide accurate and detailed results.
Schedule your inspection online or call us at 612-310-1692 today!