Finally, you have found a buyer for your home and the enthusiasm of selling your home for a good price is giving you goosebumps. It’s so thrilling and exciting at the same time, right? But there is a little hurdle that can crash your big deal. That hurdle is the home inspection. You or your real estate agent cannot stretch a finish line until your home is passed by a process called the home inspection. Understanding how it works, and what possible things might go wrong can make a good transaction just vanish. So, this article is going to tell you about 12 things that can cause a home inspection to fail.
The Problems Start With Some Sloping Grounds
When the ground is sloped in a house, you run the risk of water leaking into the house or even into the basement. Poor sorting and poor drainage are common and both are expensive to repair. Incorrect grading/sloping could require the requalification of the entire front and back of your home. The slope of the land near your house should be designed so that water will drain from the house to help prevent water damage.
Remember that the positively graded/sloped property keeps water away from the foundation so the house stays dry. The negative slope property slopes toward the house and causes water to collect around the foundation instead of flowing. So, make some positive changes to your home for a better home inspection.
Foundation Issues
A competent and experienced home inspector will seriously examine the physical condition and essential parts of your home and assess the strength, stability, and quality of the house. Interested in knowing what is the most common culprit in a home inspection? The foundation!
A basic understanding of the process is vital at all stages.
A house should have a solid foundation, and a home inspector will look for cracks in the foundation. Many homes are built on the expansive ground, which means the ground can move slightly and affect the foundation. Foundation issues can negatively affect other structural aspects of the house.
A Problematic Roof
The roof is another important part of your home and is one of the most costly repairs you will ever have to do. It also guards homeowners and the home’s interior. Roofing issues can flop a home inspection, as roof leaks can entail pricey repairs and replacements. Some things to look for on your roof:
- Shingles loss
- Missing or damaged shingles.
- No flickering.
- Marks of water damage on the roof.
- Dilapidated roof.
Plumbing Glitches
Another important part of the home that is expensive to repair is your home’s plumbing system. Plumbing issues are a common problem in home inspections. From leaky faucets to cracked pipes, plumbing problems can range from a quick fix to a costly repair. Plumbing issues can affect water supply, drive up your bill, and ruin your home. You will need to inspect your pipes to detect problems. Hidden leaks can cause significant and costly damage.
Electrical Hazards
Electrical problems can pose a safety hazard and cause fires in the home and are therefore taken seriously. Home inspectors typically find issues with electrical wirings, such as opposite polarity, absence of junction boxes, and more. Faulty wiring, outdated systems, and multiple wires using a single switch are just a few things related to electricity that don’t pass a home inspection.
Structural Wear And Tear
Some older homes are prone to structural issues like sagging joists, beams, and door lintels. It may not be immediately obvious whether a structural problem is major or minor, and many home inspectors will advise buyers to have the home inspected by an engineer if it is. Structural issues are a huge safety issue and a huge drag on potential buyers. If you see any signs of structural hitches in your home, it may be a good indication to consult an engineer or contractor.
Pests Are A Pain In The Chest
Parasites can make your living environment unsafe and threaten the structural integrity of a home. Pests like termite damage and signs of other insects can discourage buyers. Termites can affect the structural supports of your home, affecting the safety and integrity of the home. So you need to call a pest control service if you have any pests at rest in your home. Look for these signs of parasites:
- Rodent droppings.
- Scratching sounds.
- Parasite nesting materials.
- Holes or grinding marks in your wood.
The Invisible Evil Mold
Finding mold can cause you to fail a home inspection, as it often indicates larger problems, such as water. It is also spread and can pose a health hazard to people living in the home. Finding mold during inspection can cause problems. Large mold infestations can be expensive to correct. But if you can’t spot musty odors in your home, you probably don’t have to worry about a thing.
Decaying Wood
A home inspector will look for prone wood in the house and make sure there is no decaying wood. Rotting/decaying of wood can occur due to age, humidity in the house, mold, or termites.
HVAC Troubles
HVAC problems can include any problem with the home’s heating, ventilation, and cooling system. The home inspector will check the proper connections on gas ovens and other appliances to confirm that there are no gas leaks. The inspector will want to know that your system is functioning properly, has adequate ventilation, and is not leaking carbon monoxide, refrigerant, or other harmful toxins.
Water Leaks
Any leak in or around the house can cause water damage. The home inspector will look for signs of water damage, such as mildew, mildew, cracked pipes, and water spots or cracks along the roofs. Once the source of the water damage has been found, it is possible to stop and fix the problem.
Drainage Problems
Water can wreak havoc in a home. If your house has drainage issues and you don’t divert water from the house, you are causing bigger problems. To find leaks, the home inspector will look throughout the house for signs of mold, water damage, and cracks around the pipes. Water cascading when it rains heavily and staying over the edge makes dead leaves and debris as they cause blockage. Mud that spatters on sides and paint that peels off in vertical strips are a sign that there is water flow not in motion and debris clogging the way to the water outlet.
If this remains unchecked some sides and rots of paints can occur. This may leave unexpected damages and some structural damages to your property. Stains are highly visible on foundation walls, pointing that the overflowing has left an impact and surface water is now directed towards the house. Some hairline cracks also emerge if water leakage and plumbing issues are present.
These cracks are hard to find as they are fine and not emergent but their presence underlines a major issue for your home. Cracks are widened in nature and indicate a drainage problem that can be obstructing your home. Calling a structural engineer to fix the issue would be a wise decision to make.
Safety Concerns
As it’s an optimal practice to get a security system for the protection of your home and as well as your family. But in presence of family home inspectors would conduct a thorough inspection of your premises and property. Make sure that all your doors and windows are functional and as well as operative. Home inspectors make sure that the locks, windows, and doors are in proper functioning. Also with this, we make sure that there are sufficient carbon monoxide and smoke detectors throughout the home especially in the kitchen area. Also, the number of carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors varies by state.
Usage of Asbestos
If you are buying a property that was constructed before the 1980s then there are sure chances of asbestos usage in its construction. In the 80s the use of asbestos was peculiar and gave fortification to the infrastructure. Asbestos has insulation characteristics around heaters, vinyl, and asphalt flooring or else close to spray surfaces. This further intensifies the chances of developing maladies and some serious health issues. Common diseases include cancer, mesothelioma, cancer of the pharynx, larynx, lungs, stomach, and even colorectum. While as per the US Act of Ban Asbestos 2002 the act was introduced but failed to make its way in congress. Due to that, the usage is still present for making gaskets, roofing materials, fireproof materials, and daily products. When used for insulation and heating processes gives way to inhaling asbestos. When after inspection you counteract several problems detected and pinpointed by the home inspector you can have a list of options to go with. After home inspection as a buyer, you can request repairs and amendments to the property. Finding the services of a decent home inspector is also a challenge so choose wisely. Also, it’s a recommendable practice to get your home inspected by a licensed team of inspectors. These listed-down look around would be useful when you are getting your home inspected. Wish you luck with the home inspection!
