For most Americans, property investing can be a lucrative business.
It’s therefore important to do your due diligence prior to making the purchase. The last thing you want is to buy a property, only to end up paying a fortune in repair costs.
So, what are you going to do to ensure you get the best bang for your buck? Well, it’s simple, have a professional inspect your future home for any problems.
While many homeowners do their best to maintain their home, some problems go unfixed for years. That’s why home inspectors look out for things like plumbing issues, faulty electrical wiring, and poor drainage. A qualified home inspector will be able to identify these problems for you.
So, what are the most common problems home inspectors’ find when inspecting Boise properties? Continue reading to find out.
1. Poor Ventilation
As humans, fresh air is essential to our survival. Ideally, we would all be outside breathing clean, pure air. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. More often than not, we are inside, breathing in air that is not properly ventilated. This, in turn, can have a huge negative impact on our health.
So, when house hunting, it pays to ensure that the home has a proper ventilation system in place. A good ventilation system will help with reducing dampness, germs, contamination, and unpleasant smells.
Generally speaking, many issues involving ventilation systems begin from either the bathroom or the kitchen. For instance, poor bathroom fan installation can cause moisture issues to arise.
When moisture problems arise, other issues tend to arise as well. A good example is the growth of mold and mildew.
2. Roof Damage
Roof damage can cause a ton of structural issues that will prove very costly to fix in the long run. You’ll not only need to fix the roof, but you’ll also need to fix other structural issues as well.
Telltale signs of a damaged roof include:
- Curled, cracked, or missing shingles
- Lots of shingle granules in gutters
- Wear and tear around roof objects and openings
- Peeling or blistering exterior paint
- Stained ceilings or walls
- Sagging of the roof deck
If you notice any of these things, make sure to bring them up with your inspector. He or she will then be able to inspect them further and offer you a detailed report. Sometimes, if you are lucky, the issue may not be as bad as it appears to look.
3. Poor Yard Grading
Yard drainage problems are usually a result of poor grading or a lawn that has settled over time. Now, there are two types of grading: positive and negative. Basically, positive is good, negative is bad.
Positive grading is when the yard slopes away from your home. That is, the slope helps direct water away from the foot of your homes’ foundation. This is what you want.
Negative grading, on the other hand, is a sign of trouble. This is where the yard slopes toward your home, causing water to pool near the foundation of your home. This can cause a variety of issues, including the possible failure of your foundation.
Luckily, it’s a problem that can easily be fixed. Although, it does require time, labor and the right tools and supplies. If you really like the house, then by all means, fix this problem. But if it’s not worth your time, then continue searching for your Boise home.
4. Faulty Electrical Wiring
Another thing they look for in a home inspection is bad electrical wiring. Bad electrical wiring is a recipe for disaster. It can easily cause a fire to break out. When electrical wires are overheated, loose, frayed, or cracked, it becomes difficult for them to conduct electricity.
When inspecting your potential Boise, ID home, you want to be in the lookout for things like:
- Wiring that looks faulty
- An electrical panel that is damaged or looks old
- Inadequate power
- Faulty electrical outlets
- Missing or faulty GFCI outlets
- Bad grounding
5. Plumbing Leaks
Another common repair that is normally needed after a home inspection is that of leaky pipes. Plumbing leaks are a huge problem in many U.S homes. In fact, EPA estimates as much as one trillion gallons gets wasted in households every year.
Plumbing leaks can be caused by a variety of things. Such things include:
- Damaged seals: Appliances such as clothes washers and dishwashers are part of the plumbing system. Without proper maintenance, their seals can become damaged causing them to become less effective and start leaking.
- Underground movements: Movements beneath the ground surface can interfere with the underground pipe system. The pipes could crack, bend or twist.
- Aged pipes: Over time (usually over 10 years), pipes can corrode and break down. This may cause plumbing leaks.
- Cracked pipes: Pipes can crack for many reasons. Left unattended, a small crack can grow big and cause a huge plumbing mess in the property.
6. Foundation Issues
This is a huge one. Foundation issues are also a common find in property inspections. When a home’s foundation is compromised, many problems can arise. The following are just a few of such problems:
- The house could have settlement issues or appear to be sinking
- If the foundation is a slab, you may notice that it appears to have moved upward
- Doors and windows can start becoming sticky
- Gaps could appear around exterior doors and window frames
- Floors could become uneven
- Counters and cabinets could separate from the wall
If you notice any of these problems, let your inspector know. After a professional evaluation, he or she will be able to give you a detailed report on the extent of the damage.
There you have it. Six problems commonly found during property inspections in Boise, Nampa. Luckily, most of these problems can easily be fixed. However, before making the decision to go ahead with the repair, take a look at your budget.
If it allows it, then great! But if it doesn’t, then you’ll probably be better off continuing with your search.