Five Common Home Inspection Issues

Taking the Humor Out of Buying a Home-

                the 5 most common defects found during a home inspection.

Victoria Morris- Inspector American Investment Building & Home Inspections

It is a little disturbing, but to a home inspector, finding a defect in the home you fell in love with –the one you are getting ready to buy, is equal to the thrill of getting that sudden bite on the end of a fishing line. Our pulse begins to race as we near the locations that are sure to give us something to write down, take pictures of, and shake our heads at. The following five areas are almost sure to provide problematic information for an inspection report. (If you are attending the inspection, you most certainly will be called over to look down to the end of the inspector’s pointing finger to find out what the excitement is about.)

First-The most common problem found is the ‘asthmatic’ furnace, or the furnace system that is trying to breathe through a clogged, dirty filter. This is the most reliable location that sets our inspection cameras into action. Prolonged use of the furnace with dirty filters provides a whole chain of distressed clues that the keen eye and quick pen are sure to document. Change the filter monthly, and have the furnace serviced annually. Many times your local utility company will have an affordable service technician on hand. Contacting your local HVAC contractor is also an excellent choice!

Second -Replace cracked insulation on the exterior compressor refrigerant line. An illustration that we can better understand -“close the refrigerator door!” An un-insulated air conditioning line outside your home is making your system work much harder than it should. A central air conditioning system also depends on a clean furnace filter...refer to the first defect.

Third- The River does run through it! Exterior window wells should be dug down 8”-12” below the outside basement window sill. Over time, the dirt and leaf decay build up to level with the basement window. The flow of the dirt trail, and water stains can be seen inside the basement window casing... and in the inspector’s report.

Fourth-Openings in your siding should be caulked. If they are left unsealed to allow water to enter, and heat to escape –you guessed it, we’re wetting the tip our pens with an exaggerated sigh.

Fifth-GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) receptacles should be located within 6 feet of a water supply, and all exterior locations (garage included). These smart receptacles sense when you have become part of the electrical circuit while doing the dinner dishes. They instantly cut-off the electrical flow. Consult an electrician to update to GFCI outlets.

The defect list can certainly go on, and it most certainly will. It is against the laws of physics for the Home Inspector to leave the inspection empty handed. In today’s market, you can stay one step ahead of the home inspector when selling your home by correcting these five most commonly found problems ahead of time! Every home will have a “to do” list. The inspector is sensitive to your enthusiasm for this perfect home you are about to call your own, so we deliver the report with a quaint smile and our condolences. We then shake our heads, holster our binoculars, and drive off into the sunset with the full intent to inspect again.

 Victoria Morris MN Cert# LBO2768

American Investment Building & Home Inspections

Cell: (651) 245-0281

Email: info@aibhomeinspections.com

Website: www.aibhomeinspections.com