1. DEFECTIVE PLUMBING
Defective pluming will demonstrate itself by either leaking pipes or clogging drains. A visual inspection can reveal leaking, and an inspector will gauge water pressure by turning on all faucets in the highest bathroom and then flushing the toilet. If you hear the sound of running water, it indicates that the pipes are undersized. If the water appears dirty when you first turn on the faucet, this is a good indication the pipes are rusting, which can result in severe water quality problems.
2. DAMP OR WET BASEMENT
An inspector will check your walls for a powdery white mineral deposit a few inches off the floor, and will look to see if you feel secure enough to store things right on your basement floor. A mildew odor is almost impossible to eliminate, and an inspector will certainly be conscious of it.
It could cost you $200 - $1,000 to seal a crack in and around your basement foundation depending on severity and location. Adding a sump pump or pit could run you around $750 - $1,000. Complete waterproofing (of an average 3 bedroom home) could amount to $5,000 - $15,000. you will have to weight these figures into the calculation of what price you want to net on your home.
3. INADEQUATE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL
Your home should have a minimum of 100 amps services, and this should be clearly marked. Wire should be copper or aluminum. Home inspectors will look at octopus plugs as indicative of inadequate circuits and potential fire hazard.
4. POOR HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS
Insufficient insulation, and an inadequate or poorly functioning heating system, is the most common causes of poor heating. While an adequately clean furnace, without rust on the heat exchanger, usually has life left in it, an inspector will be asking and checking to see if your furnace is over its typical life span of 15-25 years. For a forced air gas system, a heat exchanger will come under particular scrutiny since one that is cracked can emit deadly carbon monoxide into the home. These heat exchangers must be replaced if damaged - they cannot be repaired.
5. ROOFING PROBLEMS
Water leakage through the roof can occur for a variety of reasons such as physical deterioration of the asphalt shingles (e.g. curling or splitting), or mechanical damage from a windstorm. When gutters leak and downspouts allow water to run down and through the exterior walls, this external problem becomes a major internal one.
6. DAMP ATTIC SPACES
Aside from basement dampness, problems with ventilation, insulation, and vapor barriers can cause water, moisture, mold and mildew to form in the attic. This could lead to premature wear of the roof, structure, and building materials. The cost to fix this damage could easily run over $2,500.
7. ROTTING WOOD
This can occur in many places (door or window frames, trim, siding, decks and fences). The building inspector will sometimes probe the wood to see if this is present - especially when wood has been freshly painted.
8. MASONRY WORK
Re-bricking can be costly, but left unattended, these repairs can cause problems with water and moisture penetration into the home. Which in turn could lead to a chimney that falls onto the roof. It can be costly to rebuild a chimney or to have it tuck pointed.
9. UNSAFE OR OVER FUSED ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT
A fire hazard is created when more amperage is drawn on the circuit than was intended. 15 amp circuits are the most common in a typical home, with larger service for larger appliances such as stove and dryers. It can cost several hundred dollars to replace your fuse panel with a circuit panel.
10. ADEQUATE SECURITY FEATURES
More than a purchased security system, an inspector will look for basic safety features that will protect your home such as proper locks on windows and patio doors, dead bolts on the doors, smoke and even carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom and on every level. Even though pricing will vary, these components will add to your costs. Before purchasing or installing, you should check with your local experts.
11. STRUCTURAL AND FOUNDATION PROBLEMS
An inspector will certainly investigate the underlying footing and foundation of your home, as structural integrity is fundamental. When you put your home on the market, you don't want any unpleasant surprises that could cost you the sale of your home. By having an understanding of these 11 problem areas as you walk through your home, you'll be arming yourself against future disappointment.
Defective pluming will demonstrate itself by either leaking pipes or clogging drains. A visual inspection can reveal leaking, and an inspector will gauge water pressure by turning on all faucets in the highest bathroom and then flushing the toilet. If you hear the sound of running water, it indicates that the pipes are undersized. If the water appears dirty when you first turn on the faucet, this is a good indication the pipes are rusting, which can result in severe water quality problems.
2. DAMP OR WET BASEMENT
An inspector will check your walls for a powdery white mineral deposit a few inches off the floor, and will look to see if you feel secure enough to store things right on your basement floor. A mildew odor is almost impossible to eliminate, and an inspector will certainly be conscious of it.
It could cost you $200 - $1,000 to seal a crack in and around your basement foundation depending on severity and location. Adding a sump pump or pit could run you around $750 - $1,000. Complete waterproofing (of an average 3 bedroom home) could amount to $5,000 - $15,000. you will have to weight these figures into the calculation of what price you want to net on your home.
3. INADEQUATE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL
Your home should have a minimum of 100 amps services, and this should be clearly marked. Wire should be copper or aluminum. Home inspectors will look at octopus plugs as indicative of inadequate circuits and potential fire hazard.
4. POOR HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS
Insufficient insulation, and an inadequate or poorly functioning heating system, is the most common causes of poor heating. While an adequately clean furnace, without rust on the heat exchanger, usually has life left in it, an inspector will be asking and checking to see if your furnace is over its typical life span of 15-25 years. For a forced air gas system, a heat exchanger will come under particular scrutiny since one that is cracked can emit deadly carbon monoxide into the home. These heat exchangers must be replaced if damaged - they cannot be repaired.
5. ROOFING PROBLEMS
Water leakage through the roof can occur for a variety of reasons such as physical deterioration of the asphalt shingles (e.g. curling or splitting), or mechanical damage from a windstorm. When gutters leak and downspouts allow water to run down and through the exterior walls, this external problem becomes a major internal one.
6. DAMP ATTIC SPACES
Aside from basement dampness, problems with ventilation, insulation, and vapor barriers can cause water, moisture, mold and mildew to form in the attic. This could lead to premature wear of the roof, structure, and building materials. The cost to fix this damage could easily run over $2,500.
7. ROTTING WOOD
This can occur in many places (door or window frames, trim, siding, decks and fences). The building inspector will sometimes probe the wood to see if this is present - especially when wood has been freshly painted.
8. MASONRY WORK
Re-bricking can be costly, but left unattended, these repairs can cause problems with water and moisture penetration into the home. Which in turn could lead to a chimney that falls onto the roof. It can be costly to rebuild a chimney or to have it tuck pointed.
9. UNSAFE OR OVER FUSED ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT
A fire hazard is created when more amperage is drawn on the circuit than was intended. 15 amp circuits are the most common in a typical home, with larger service for larger appliances such as stove and dryers. It can cost several hundred dollars to replace your fuse panel with a circuit panel.
10. ADEQUATE SECURITY FEATURES
More than a purchased security system, an inspector will look for basic safety features that will protect your home such as proper locks on windows and patio doors, dead bolts on the doors, smoke and even carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom and on every level. Even though pricing will vary, these components will add to your costs. Before purchasing or installing, you should check with your local experts.
11. STRUCTURAL AND FOUNDATION PROBLEMS
An inspector will certainly investigate the underlying footing and foundation of your home, as structural integrity is fundamental. When you put your home on the market, you don't want any unpleasant surprises that could cost you the sale of your home. By having an understanding of these 11 problem areas as you walk through your home, you'll be arming yourself against future disappointment.
