Like regular checkups with your personal physician, routine home inspections are a critical component of ensuring the safety and comfort of your property. By keeping ongoing tabs on the condition of the house, homeowners can nip problems in the bud before they rear their ugly head. Although professional inspectors will meticulously assess every nook and cranny of your property, they are likely to prioritize the following 6 essential categories above all else.
1. Structural Integrity of Framing and Foundation
Framing and foundation are commonly referred to as the “bones” of the house. If there are issues in either of these areas, the quality of the entire home is severely undermined. Degraded framing and foundation can make the home unsafe. It may even become unlivable.
It should come as no surprise that these areas are given close scrutiny during home inspections. Professionals will look to see if the foundation has cracked, flooded, or shifted in any way. They will determine if the walls have suffered any rot or pest damage. This is less of a concern with modern framing solutions such as light gauge steel and insulated concrete forms than it is with traditional structural wooden panels. However, the framing will still be closely scrutinized–regardless of the framing method–by the home inspector to ensure that there are no emergent issues.
2. Plumbing Issues
Plumbing is one area of the home that causes anxiety during home inspections. It is so hard to know what lies beneath the surface. This is why plumbing is such an important component of home inspections. Some things inspectors will look for include clogged water pipes, degraded water heaters, and leakages. They will also determine if the types of pipe are up to modern codes. Rusted cast iron pipes or outdated galvanized pipes will likely need to be replaced.
3. Roofing Leaks
The roof is one of the most important areas of the home to inspect. As it is hard to view and/or access the roof on a day-to-day basis, it can often fall into an “out of sight, out of mind” state of disrepair. Therefore, it is essential to make the roof a priority come inspection time. According to Jeff Guthrie of Phoenix Roofing Company:
“Keeping up with roof inspections and repairs helps prevent bigger issues down the road. A quick check today can save you from expensive repairs tomorrow.“
As the home’s first line of defense against the forces of nature, it is vital that the roof remain in tip-top condition. Any leak in the roof will have a proverbial “trickle-down” effect that spreads to adjacent areas of the house.
4. HVAC Condition
HVAC is a beacon of modernity. Heating and cooling systems allow homeowners to live comfortably in all seasons and climates. Unfortunately, neglected HVAC systems can raise a lot of red flags during home inspections. Some things inspectors will look for include inadequate ventilation that affects air quality, unmaintained ducts and filtration systems that can no longer function safely, and noisy, shaky furnaces that need to be repaired or replaced.
5. Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency might not have been a common focus on home inspection checklists a decade ago, but it has now become a top priority. The real estate market is increasingly focused on identifying homes that reduce energy consumption. Additionally, stricter governmental regulations are pushing new construction towards creating homes that are close to net-zero in energy use.
A home inspector will check to see if a home is as energy efficient as it is purported to be. They will look at the walls’ posted R-value and determine if the correct insulation tools were used during construction. They may perform a blower door test to see if there are any leaks through the building envelope. For homes that use solar panels and other forms of PV technology, the inspector will see if the system is still producing energy at its rated capacity.
6. Door and Window Quality
Doors and windows play a multi-faceted role in the home. They are crucial for boosting aesthetics and enhancing the curb appeal of the property. They are also key components of ensuring the safety, comfort, and energy efficiency of the property. As such, home inspectors will assess the doors and windows from all angles. They will make sure that all wall-to-frame joints and transitions are properly sealed and airtight. They will assess the condition of door and window casing profiles to determine if they are equal parts form and function. Inspectors will assess the condition of the glass panes in windows to see if they enhance optical clarity without allowing too much thermal transmission.
Protect Your Investment: Schedule Regular Home Inspections
Routine home inspections are vital for assessing the ongoing quality of your home and staying ahead of any large-scale issues. If you are in Fort Wayne or the surrounding areas and need a home inspection, contact Gold Key Inspection Services today for a consultation!
Author Bio
Brian Jeffries is a freelance writer who loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on construction projects and materials. He lives in Winter Park, Florida where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on projects in his spare time. Brian’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a construction industry resource site.
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