A thorough home inspection is the only way to ensure your house is in good working order. Professional inspectors will look at every nook and cranny to see if there are cosmetic damages or minor repairs necessary to increase the property’s value.
Homeowners often inspect the property themselves to gauge if there’s anything that needs correction. However, they may miss out on these preventable red flags that could altogether tank an excellent real estate deal, so it’s best to leave the job to the professionals. Here are some often-overlooked issues of your house that need extra attention:
Damaged Roofing
An asphalt shingle roof can last between 15 to 20 years. So if it’s nearing the end of its life, you may find that it comes up in an inspection report. Inspectors will call out brittle, curled, or broken shingles and any loose flashing or leaky spots on your roof, with a severely neglected roof costing $10,000 or more to replace.
Prevention: If your roof is already way past its prime, replace damaged shingles, flashing, and caulk where ventilation pipes penetrate the shingles to pass your home inspection.
Drain Problems
Improper grading around a home can cause drainage issues and foundation damage. Surface grading can cause leaky basements and other problems, including mildew growth in the small cracks created by shifting foundations. Spongy soil can cause foundations to shift, leaving cracks that grow over time.
Prevention: If you’re adding topsoil to make the ground level, you should create a slight 10-foot long slope around the house that drops by one inch for every foot you move away from home. Repair or add gutters and downspouts to direct rainwater away from the foundation.
Pests
Homebuyers with a fear of pests should steer clear of houses with an infestation of termites and other wood-eating vermin. These insects can cause significant structural damage if left untreated, but a home inspector is trained to identify signs of infestation. Buyers who want to go a step further may also wish to pay for a separate termite inspection from a pest control company for added peace of mind.
Prevention: Hire professionals to inspect and treat your home before a home inspection. This will protect the buyer if the house has termites, which would have to be disclosed. Treat the termites and get a termite bond before you sell your house.
Plumbing Problems
Damaged pipes and broken water heaters are common, costly problems during a home inspection. Some pipes found in older homes, such as those made from polybutylene, have been discontinued due to their tendency to fail. A home inspector will note these types of incompatibility.
Prevention: Consider replacing the plumbing in your house. At a minimum, repair any visible leaks and unclog drains. It can also be helpful to reseat toilets and install new wax rings.
A Shoddy Foundation
One of the most costly issues to fix after a home inspection is associated with the foundation, which can cause many problems. Signs of these issues include doors and windows that stick, cracks in walls above doorways, and sloping floors. Foundation issues are commonly diagnosed by L-shaped or horizontal cracks in the visible parts of the exterior foundation.
Prevention: If you know your foundation is damaged, it is best to fix it before putting your home up for sale. The less expensive minor repairs include filling any cracks with epoxy or silicone caulk, sealing the exterior foundation with a waterproof coating, and adjusting doors and windows, so they open and close without jamming.
Worry-Free Home Inspection in Tulsa
Preventing home inspection disasters can take a combination of preventative measures and knowing what to look for. First, suspect that your home might have a problem? Ask a local builder, another plumber, or contractor about the issues you’ve noticed, and how much it will cost to fix them. Then, call the local utility companies to request reports from recent inspections. These are great places to start determining how much of a problem you’re facing.
For worry-free home inspection in Tulsa, contact AEI Inspections right away! With over 30 years of experience in home inspection and structural engineering, we have the extensive knowledge and background needed to identify structural issues and perform testing and troubleshooting of all residential home components and systems. Get in touch with us to know more!
