What To Expect When Getting A Home Inspection
Posted on: 20 December 2018
A home inspection is an essential part of buying a new home. In most cases, the bank will not fund a loan for the property without a home inspection. A third party inspector always performs the inspection with no interest in the home or stake in the sale. Here is what to expect when it comes time for the inspection.
Inspecting the Foundation
One of the most critical parts of the inspection is the foundation of the home. If there are any cracks or damage to the foundation, it can affect the structure of the home. The floors may sag, the frame of the house can move, and even the roof can suffer as a result. The inspector will look over the entire foundation inside, and as much as they can see outside. They are looking for spots where water may be seeping in and areas that already have damage, as well as areas that may suffer damage in the future.
Inspecting the Electrical
Electrical inspections are essential because the inspector will check for substandard wiring, problems in the electrical panel, and even switches that do not work but should. Any problem with the electrical can create a hazardous situation and needs addressing right away. A bad wall outlet doesn't seem like a big deal to many people, but if the outlet has a short in it, it could cause a fire in the home. The inspector will go over the entire electrical system and report any problems they find so that the buyer can ask for these issues to be rectified before closing on the home.
Inspecting the Plumbing
Like the electrical, the home inspection service will go over the plumbing in the home, looking for drains that do not work right, leaks under the house or in the basement, and plumbing that was done incorrectly. The inspector will check everything that they can get to, but because the plumbing is inside the walls, there are things they can't see that may need repair. Any deficiencies the inspector finds need repair before the sale of the home by the seller, unless the buyer agrees to take them on themselves for a reduction in the price of the property.
Roof and Structure Inspection
The inspector will look over the entire building and check the roof for sag or leaks, as well as looking at the structure as a whole. The idea is to identify any problem areas so that the buyer does not get stuck with a home that is in need of a lot of repairs. The cost of repair on top of the mortgage may be too much for the buyer, and the home could end up in foreclosure, which is not good for anyone involved.
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