Archive for home inspections
Things Home Inspectors Can and Can’t Do
Posted by: | CommentsAs you get ready to have your dream home expected, keep in mind that there are certain parameters as to what the home inspector can do. Because a home inspection is mostly visual, the process is not completely fool proof and there is always an inherent risk with buying a property. As you keep this in mind, take a look at some of the things the home inspector can and can’t do during the home inspection.
A Home Inspector Can:
Visually do a thorough and professional check that all the systems in the house are working properly, including the inside and outside of the home. This includes checking water, heating/cooling, electrical systems, and turning appliances on to check if they work. This might also include crawl spaces, going on the roof or through small spaces, but not doing anything that is deemed hazardous.
Check for serious problems in safety and construction, such as amateur electrical wiring (also known as handyman wiring), cheap fixes for plumbing, safety of appliances, gas leaks, roof and attic issues, foundation problems, and the overall physical condition of the interior and exterior of the house. Another thing the home inspector can do is go into the attic and give a thorough visual check without causing damage. Basically, the idea is to alert the buyer of any safety issues, defects, and problems in need of immediate attention.
A Home Inspector Can’t:
Use invasive techniques. Things that require disassembling, going underground or causing defection to the home are not part of a home inspection. These might include checking the insulation by going within the walls or examining the pipes under the home by going underground. Nothing gets taken apart or damaged.
Note every small problem. The home inspection is for alerting the buy to major defects. Things like a small scratch on the wall or testing out an oven by cooking something inside it are not going to be noted. However, if a wall has obvious signs of water damage or the oven does not turn on or has bad wiring, those things will be noted. The home inspection is the major things that need to be repaired or are hazardous.
Turn on gas or water in a vacant home. If a home is unoccupied and gas or water is shut off, the home inspector will not test or turn these items on. This includes items that have been unplugged, such as the garage door opener, air conditioner, furnace, hot water tank, etc. The reason for this is the inspector cannot be liable for any damage that might occur. For example, if the air conditioner was over heating and if the inspector does a test, this could cause a fire. The inspector is not trained to fix these problems, but to do a thorough check.
Getting Your Money’s Worth
A good home inspection is well worth it to make sure your dream home is ready for you. Make sure you know what to expect and ask questions to make sure you know what to expect. In addition, check out this article other things that home inspectors won’t tell you.
Maintenance Checklist for Homeowners
Posted by: | CommentsBeing a homeowner is liberating, however you must remember that home ownership involves maintenance and repairs as required. It is especially important to maintain the home before and after the winter months, when the home is subject to harsh weather conditions and possible safety hazards.
At least once a year, homeowners should conduct a thorough check to ensure their home is in good order. Below is a maintenance checklist to help you keep track of the items you should inspect and maintain on a regular basis to prevent major repairs and expenses in the future:
- The roof should be replaced approximately every 25 years, depending on the type of materials used. In the meantime, it is important to examine the roof on a regular basis to look for loose or damaged shingles. You can then repair as required.
- A leaky roof is uncomfortable and can cause a lot of damage to the inside of your home. It is therefore important to inspect and repair when necessary the flashing around roof stacks, vents, skylights, and chimneys as possible sources of leakage.
- Gutters keep your house free from leaks and flooding. Examine your gutters regularly, looking for uneven, or damaged gutters, downspouts, hangers, gutter guards, and strainers. Especially in the fall, it is important to clean any debris and leaves from the gutters as required.
- Trees are an inviting addition to any yard; however the branches growing above and around the house can cause damage. Therefore, it is important to cut back any branches and shrubbery growing too close to the house to prevent damage to its exterior.
- Keep heating costs down by checking that caulking, insulation and weather-tripping are installed and installed properly.
- Before the cooler months arrive, it is important to drain pools, hose bibs, water lines and sprinklers. Draining your water lines is important to preventing broken water pipes and draining the pool is important to keeping it clean and healthy.
- Especially when the cooler weather approaches, inspecting your heating system on a regular basis can save you mid-winter headaches in case of a breakdown and money in case of repairs.
Regardless of the time of year, inspecting your home on a regular basis is important to saving you money in the long run and keeping you and your family safe. If you are purchasing a home or selling your home, it is important to hire a certified home inspector to conduct a thorough and professional home inspection for you.
