Would You Pass Inspection? Here Are Three Common Problems Home Inspectors Find

Every week, the detail-oriented folks at Green Scene Home Inspections will give CandysDirt.com readers an education in inspection. Want to see what they see? Tune in  for “Upon Closer Inspection.”

After you’ve done several thousand home inspections, some common themes emerge. People tend to neglect the same kinds of things in their homes, and of course, Mother Nature affects the homes in a particular area in the same sorts of ways.

As a homeowner, or a Realtor working with homeowners, these commonalities are good to be aware of, so you can take care of your home while you own it, and look for potential problems when you’re buying a new one.Here are a few of the most common problems we find.

1. Retaining Wall Issues

Wood retaining walls will deteriorate over time from weather, water, etc. and it’s generally better to put in concrete or brick.. Rotted wood is a very conducive condition for wood-destroying insect activity, especially when retaining walls are constructed with railroad ties, as these are known to attract Formosan termites.

2. GFCI Problems

You should have GFCI receptacles on outlets within 6 gfeet of a sink or water source, like bathrooms, garages, outdoor receptacles, crawl spaces, basements, and kitchens.  Most people do not realize that they should be testing all of their GFCI outlets once a month. Without periodic testing, these outlets can trip unexpectedly, causing any number of other connected outlets to lose power as well. For example, you might have a GFCI in the garage, where you have a refrigerator or freezer blocking access to the outlet. If the outlet trips unexpectedly, you could go for hours or even days without realizing your frozen/refrigerated goods are spoiling. For outdoor GFCI receptacles, exposure to heat and water can cause them to corrode or malfunction over time, possibly causing a blown outlet, like this one.

3. Tree Branches Too Close To Roof

This is a great example of a little seasonal maintenance preventing potential problems. Tree branches growing too close to roof structures can wreak all kinds of havoc on your roof when storms or high winds occur. You’ll see pictures like this one on many home inspection reports, leading to problems like damaged shingles and loose or missing flashing.

At Green Scene, we believe that knowledge is power, and the more you know about your home — your most important investment — the better armed you are to protect it and plan for future expenses.