It’s All in the Details: Common Home Inspection Problems
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When you have spent as much time poking around in other people’s homes as we have, you become familiar with all the common problems that emerge.
In this column, where we get to share knowledge from the rarified world of home inspection, sometimes we like to show you the weird and the wacky, sometimes the scary and dangerous, but we think it’s probably most helpful to share the things you’re likely to find in your own home.
Whether caused by installers, homeowners, guests, repairmen, or Mother Nature herself, issues like these should be identified and fixed. So, without further ado, here are some common home inspection problems to keep an eye out for:
Blocked Air Flow
This is a super common problem that can result from installation error or from ductwork getting moved around in the attic, often due to storage use. Either way, when ducts get pulled too tight around a strap or too sharply around a corner, it can cause a block in airflow and cause a breakdown in the system. This is why it’s important to have your HVAC serviced periodically to make sure your ductwork is working the way it should.
Exterior Details
In this video, Inspector Adrian is just going along the exterior of the house, pointing out problems — and this one is all too common. All those things that kind of stick out on the exterior of the house that require some kind of maintenance often get neglected and fall into disrepair: caulking gets old and cracked, fittings come loose, drain lines lose their seal, etc. It’s a good idea to keep things like this on a home maintenance checklist so they don’t go unnoticed.
Fixed It! (Not)
If we had a nickel for every time the city, or a contractor, or somebody’s dad said the thing was fixed and it turned out not to be, we’d have a room full of nickels. That’s why we advise getting a re-inspection during the option period if work is promised during a home purchase to follow up and make sure the work is done properly. Because what one person considers “done” may not be to your standards.
Read about more common home inspection problems here. And when you’re buying or selling a home, remember that knowledge is power: get a home inspection to learn all you can about the property so there will be no surprises.
