Most Common Issues Found During Home Inspections

Are you excited about buying your dream home that also seemingly looks to be in extraordinary condition?

We don’t like being the bearers of bad news, but even houses that look good can hide major flaws. To make matters worse, you’ll eventually notice these issues after you move in, and in a cruel twist of fate, you’ll be hit with a hefty repair bill.

On top of that, you may also discover plenty of violations, shoddy renovations, and a whole lot of scenarios that are far too numerous to delve into at the moment. 

Fortunately, you can always rely on a home inspection to inform you about these issues before you decide whether or not to purchase a home. You can then demand from the seller to make the repairs or negotiate a more favorable price. 

Still, it doesn’t hurt to know beforehand about the most common home inspection findings that may negatively affect its value. 

1. Foundation issues

Problems with the home’s foundation are typically the most expensive to fix, so this is something you don’t want to see on your inspection report. When examining the property, the inspector will closely evaluate the presence of signs such as cracks in the exterior or interior walls, doors or windows that are separated from the wall or have a hard time opening, uneven floors, and so on. 

2. Structural issues

The problematic foundation is bad enough, but one of the more common home inspection findings is extensive structural issues.

For example, inspectors often find issues such as sagging roofs, cracked drywall, sloping floors, you name it. 

Similar to repairing the foundation, structural defects require a lot of money to resolve, so it may be easier to simply walk away from the sale instead of buying a cash dump. 

3. Pest infestations

While not the main focus of the regular home inspection (you’ll have to schedule a WDO inspection to get the full picture), pests are often found hidden away on properties. 

For such small critters, they can cause a world of problems. Termites alone can eat away at the house’s structure. Similarly, rodents are not a walk in the park either and can chew through the rafters or electrical wires.

Inspectors will check to see if there are any signs of infestations such as chew marks, droppings, tunnels, etc. If needed, they’ll offer you the chance to book a dedicated pest inspection that will evaluate the severity of the infestation. 

4. Code violations

The additions that the original owner made to the home may not be up to the local building code. Considering this is illegal and unsafe, the inspector will evaluate the quality of the project and look through the permits.

5. Damaged roof

Despite its importance, roof damage is one of the most common home inspection findings. Roofs require regular maintenance to stay functional and any damage could create other difficulties such as water intrusion. 

As such, inspectors take great care when examining the overall “health” of the roof. They’ll check if there are any pieces such as singles missing, look for sagging in the roof, and also inspect the attic area to find signs of water damage. 

6. Plumbing issues

Trouble with plumbing leaves the home open to water damage but also hidden leaks that could lead to mold infestations. Sadly, many homes hide not only plumbing but also drainage issues. 

Making these repairs may cost you an arm and a leg, so this is something you absolutely must know before putting down the big bucks for the home. 

7. Mold

Roofing and plumbing issues go hand in hand with mold. If there are signs of water damage in the home, chances are, there may also be mold on the property. 

This is a deal breaker for most buyers as mold remediation is fairly expensive and takes a long time. 

The good news is that your inspector has got your back here as mold is often easy to spot for a trained individual. 

8. Electrical system issues

Old homes are often a liability due to outdated and faulty electrical systems. Just a small issue can lead to a devastating fire, which is why evaluating electrical installations is an essential step in the process.

Inspectors will look at small things like malfunctioning switches, but will also check for exposed wiring and test whether any breakers are overloaded. Most importantly, they’ll provide you with an opinion on whether the electrical panel needs to be replaced with a newer model. 

9. HVAC system issues

The HVAC system can cost up to $15k so you have to make sure it’s functioning properly. Because they require regular maintenance, issues with the HVAC are one of the most common home inspection findings that should raise your concern. 

The refrigerant may be leaking, the evaporator coils may be frozen, and the mechanical parts may be worn out. All of these fixes are noteworthy and will leave you with a hefty bill once you purchase a home. 

10. Toxic building materials

You’ve probably heard that old homes are notorious for asbestos and lead paint, but there are other toxins inspectors find during the inspection. For instance, radon and carbon monoxide are frequently found.

Testing for these toxins is usually not a part of the regular home inspections but many inspectors also offer additional services such as lab testing where they’ll test for the presence of these toxins. 

Get your money’s worth

Although you may view a home inspection as just another useless expense, it can help you save money in the future. If any of these problems pop up during the evaluation, you can demand the owner to fix the issue or adjust the price accordingly so you can make repairs on your terms.

Still, the inspections vary between different service providers, and inexperienced inspectors often mix glaring issues such as a sagging roof or even mold. You don’t want this happening to you, so it’s in your best interest to hire the best people for the job.

Guardian Angel Inspections has been at the forefront of the inspection industry in Palm Beach County for close to a decade. In fact, your real estate agent has probably heard of us as we’ve been named the best inspection company by the largest realtor organization in the county. 

So, get your money’s worth - phone at 561-512-7854 or fill out our contact form to book an inspection.