The attic and crawlspaces of a home oftentimes are not a priority for a prospective buyer. They’re mostly concerned with the condition of high-traffic living spaces and the functionality of the utilities of a home. However, the less occupied areas of a home can surprisingly be most telling of its structural integrity, energy efficiency, and air quality. To stress the importance of inspecting these often-unused spaces, let’s take a look at some common problems found in attics and crawlspaces.
[Read more…]How High Water Pressure Can Cost You Financially
There are few things more frustrating than trying to shower or wash your car with low water pressure, but the inverse – high water pressure – isn’t as much of a luxury as it may seem. High water pressure can put stress on your wallet and your home, and when you’re in search of a new home, having a home inspector experienced in measuring water pressure can be incredibly valuable. Let’s discuss some of the ways high water pressure can cost you and how to identify the signs.
[Read more…]Electrical Problems Commonly Found During Inspections
A home inspection is meant to discover whether a home is up to code, is safe for the prospective buyer, and doesn’t have any expensive maintenance issues. While there may be some issues that are apparent to the buyer, electrical issues can be very difficult to diagnose via the untrained eye. To ensure you’re protected from hazardous situations, it’s important to become aware of electrical problems commonly found during inspections.
[Read more…]What’s Involved with a Plumbing Inspection?
If you’re buying an old home, you’re likely assuming that the utilities are a top priority for home inspectors. There’s a good chance that the electrical and plumbing are outdated. Upon completion of the home inspection, you’re probably assured that your kitchen ceiling won’t come crashing to the floor as a result of leaking or damaged plumbing, but that’s not entirely true. The truth of the matter is, what’s involved with a plumbing inspection is not necessarily what you’d expect.
[Read more…]What Happens if A Home Inspector Finds Asbestos?
We’re all aware that asbestos is hazardous to one’s health. If you haven’t experienced its damaging effects in someone close to you, then you’ve at least witnessed the countless personal injury ads on television. Given the widespread knowledge of this dangerous substance and its liberal use in the past, it’s reasonable to fear that asbestos may be present in an older home. If you’re looking to sell or invest in a new property, you’re likely concerned about what happens if a home inspector finds asbestos.
[Read more…]The Importance of Inspecting Water Pressure and Flow
Since it’s such a big decision, you want to do everything to ensure your new home is worth the investment. While many shoppers may be most concerned by such things as the foundation, roof, and flooring, there’s an element to a home inspection that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves: water pressure and flow. In this blog, we’ll explain the importance of inspecting water pressure and flow and why it affects more than just your morning showers.
Why Your Landscape Should Have a Graded Slope
Improper grading is taken very seriously by home inspectors due to the structural implications. The job of a graded slope is to direct rain runoff away from the home. If the landscape is not sloped accordingly, it can result in water pooling around your home’s foundation. Some homeowners are unaware of the importance of setting the grade for their landscape, but since it can result in serious damage, it’s critical to learn why your landscape should have a graded slope.
[Read more…]Why Does My Home Need to be Insulated?
When a home undergoes inspection, the inspector checks to ensure the roof, floors, walls, windows, and doors are properly insulated. This is reasonable, as the sole purpose of insulation is to keep your home warm during winter, right? Not precisely. The idea of insulation is based on several factors, of which just one of them is keeping the temperature comfortable. Determining why your home needs to be insulated requires a better understanding of what duties insulation does.
[Read more…]4 Common Problems Found During Home Inspections
Buying a new home is a large investment. But even recently built homes that appear flawless to the untrained eye can have some common issues lying beneath the surface. To safeguard your investment before committing to a purchase, make sure you hire a home inspector. Furthermore, be sure to familiarize yourself with some of the common problems found during home inspections.
Why Home Foundations are a Critical Part of Home Inspections
A building’s stability is only as reliable as its foundation. A foundation’s purpose is to support the structure above and keep it upright, but a poor foundation can be a danger to its occupants and surrounding properties. For this reason, it’s vital to understand why home foundations are a critical part of home inspections, as underestimating the importance of a strong home foundation can be extremely hazardous.