8 Most Common Home Inspection Problems

Whether you’re buying or selling Ballantyne real estate, you should have a professional home inspection done to reveal any underlying issues with the property. Many home problems are unnoticeable to the untrained eye, or they’re simply out of a homeowner’s sight. Before requesting a home inspection on your property, learn about the most commonly found problems.

Depending on the age of a home, the materials used in its roof construction may be old and worn. Asphalt shingle roofs last about 15 to 20 years and can show signs of aging like curling, cracks, brittleness, and loose attachments. A roof that has been poorly maintained may need to be completely redone, which can be an expensive repair project. Otherwise, roofs with minor wear and tear may simply need a few replacement shingles and caulking.

Another common problem found in a Ballantyne home for sale is electrical wiring issues. Age also has an element in this aspect because older homes are more likely to fail electrical codes and standards. If you’re selling a home built between 1940 and 1960, odds are good that your wiring will need updating. In this case, hire a licensed electrician for tasks ranging from minor upgrades to an overhaul of the entire electrical system.

Properties that are built on a bad grade or that don’t have adequate drainage can lead to permanent water damage in the home. When water builds up, it can leak into a basement or the foundation of the home, which can cause cracks or damage. Not having enough splash blocks or downspout diverters can mean there isn’t enough opportunity for water to travel away from the home. If a home has drainage issues, topsoil can be added to create a slope around the property.

Mold can grow in hidden places, and besides being generally unappealing in smell, it can also be a serious health risk for homeowners. This is because most mold creates allergens and potentially toxic substances that can cause irritation and reactions. When inspecting Ballantyne real estate, inspectors look for mold growth due to water buildup from a leak or drainage problem. This should be addressed immediately. To avoid mold, address water leakages and keep low humidity levels in a home.

Unlike the potentially serious and costly repercussions of the problems above, poor ventilation or insulation is mostly an inconvenience and can be solved relatively easily. Adding ventilation to an attic that gets unbearably hot in the summer, or insulation to a basement that’s always chilly, makes a property more energy efficient and comfortable to live in. One place in particular that sees insulation issues is the freon gas line, as the material shrinks and deteriorates from condensation.

Plumbing issues tend to be more serious, mostly because of the potential water damage they can cause. An old home may be built with outdated materials, which makes them more susceptible to problems and may require replacement. Damaged pipes, backed-up sewage systems, and broken water heaters are also common problems that are relatively expensive to fix.

Inspectors may also find common yet smaller issues with plumbing, like a leaking faucet, stoppers not working in tubs and sinks, and poor caulking around bathtubs and sinks. Things like a slow drain can be easily fixed by unclogging and cleaning out pipes. In the home’s exterior, damage to plumbing boots in between the roof shingle and the plumbing vent is also common and can be fixed with a replacement.

Alongside a roof replacement, a foundational problem is one of the most expensive repairs that a Ballantyne home for sale might need. An inspector will look for foundational problems in sticky doors and windows, cracked walls, floors that slope, and horizontal cracks in the foundation’s exterior. Many foundational issues are caused by water build-up in the soil under the property, which causes the area under a home to expand.

Although soil expansion doesn’t always create foundational issues, it can cause pressure that leads to cracks, leaks, mold, and structural damage. If the foundation has only minor cracks, filling them up with silicone caulk or epoxy can solve the problem. Otherwise, calling a professional to fix a problem is the best way to go.

The type of pest in your home makes a difference on the potential damage to your property. No buyer likes pests, although a termite infestation is one of the worst to have. If left unaddressed, they can eat through the wood of your property and create structural damage. A home inspector will know the signs of termites, and a seller will have to hire a professional pest control company to exterminate them.

Other common pests a home inspector might note are the presence of cockroaches, which usually are seeking out water sources. Rodents like mice and rats can chew through wiring and insulation, causing damage to a home. Alongside termites, carpenter ants can damage wood in the home; however, ants in the home are usually easier to eliminate.

General home upkeep can prevent most problems, such as mold build up, poor drainage, and pest infestations. If you’re ready to start your home search or sale in the Ballantyne area, contact experienced local agent Pamela Roberts to guide you through everything from the home inspection to closing.