Home Inspectors Reveal the 6 Biggest Dangers They Encounter
Could your ideal house turn out to be an expensive and hazardous disaster? Before finalizing the purchase, a home inspector can offer crucial validation.
A home inspector's role is to reveal the genuine condition of what you're considering purchasing and assist you in grasping significant risks, enabling you to make a knowledgeable choice regarding whether living in the home with your family is advisable. They have encountered every possible issue.
Chris Murphy, a home inspector based in Houston, mentioned that potential homeowners frequently lack "any understanding of what they're stepping into."
They simply know they wish to purchase a home but remain unaware of potential costs or hazards involved," he explained. "Individuals walk in, admire beautiful flooring, flawless countertops, and high-end appliances, thinking 'This is my dream house.' Yet, they often overlook the fact that the structural engineering aspects might not function properly.
It’s time for a reality check. During interviews with 5.180.24.3home inspectors nationwide, we discussed the major risks that homeowners tend to overlook. These insights serve as important reminders for everyone—regardless of whether you're purchasing a new home or have been living in yours for some time.
Poorly Run HVAC Systems
Murphy stated that in his location in the South, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system might often be considered the "top" neglected issue.
He mentioned that certain individuals think "if their AC is barely operational" and they sense "a draft of cool air," it must be doing its job. Nevertheless, "that does not imply it's promoting your health and well-being," he further stated.
"And if your air conditioner isn't working properly, the entire house feels off," he explained, mentioning issues like musty odors, mold growth, and potential respiratory problems.
Murphy stated that hiring a home inspector can be essential because they can assess air circulation and verify if the condensers are functioning properly.
“For instance, we’ll head up into the attic area to ensure that the air conditioner is working properly and isn’t shaking too much," he explained. "Additionally, we will remove the covers to check whether the interior is clean and functioning correctly."
Foundation Cracks
A home inspector recognizes typical areas where cracks appear, and they'll instantly focus their attention on these spots," explained Michael Conrad, a home inspector from Nashville, Tennessee. He mentioned that things like the corners of garage doors, the lower edges of window frames, and "any elements piercing through a brick house" are key points inspectors typically examine.
Based in New York City, home inspector Jacqueline Gathers mentioned that certain residences may feature basements with drywall and panelling that could conceal significant foundation fractures. However, these issues might be detected by a home inspector during an examination of unfinished walls, such as those found in areas like boiler rooms or laundry facilities.
"When significant fissures appear in the foundational walls, we consistently recommend that our clients consult with a structural engineer to assess how this might be jeopardizing their property; this is quite serious," Gathers stated.
At times, it might not be worthwhile to put in the effort.
“I find that to be an expensive fix. It’s complex,” Gathers stated. “If I encountered foundational problems with a house, I’d decide against purchasing it.”
And should you presently reside in your house, be cautious of sizable horizontal fissures extending across a wall. Such cracks could indicate serious foundational issues If you notice these or any similar cracks appearing unexpectedly in your house, it’s important to promptly engage an expert (such as a structural engineer).
Detached Flue Vents
Melissa Coon, a home inspector from Oklahoma City, mentioned that the frequent tornadoes and strong winds in her region often lead to typical problems with roof replacements.
Consequently, the vents or exhaust pipes from gas-powered devices such as water heaters or furnaces might become disconnected, which could lead to fatal outcomes.
"That’s likely the top problem we encounter constantly," Coon stated.
Chimneys serve as pathways for smoke, fumes, or exhaust from combustion to exit outside harmlessly. If vent connectors aren’t securely fastened to devices, dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide might infiltrate your living space.
They run throughout the entire summer without giving it much thought," Coon explained. "At night, when it gets chilly, they switch on their heaters since they prefer not feeling cold during sleep. When bedtime comes around...they remain unaware of the issue because the fluorovent wasn't disconnected.
Although it may not be separated, a flue can pose a significant risk if it becomes dislodged and ends up near combustible materials.
"I've actually lowered the stairs to access the attic and found charred wood because the vent connector or flue was touching the roof sheathing," Coon explained.
Outdated Electrical Panels
Coon mentioned that people seldom consider the significant hazard that electrical wiring in old houses can present.
Frequently, individuals who relocate into a home constructed in the 1940s or 1950s fail to recognize that the electrical system won’t be able to handle their modern appliances, she mentioned.
Coon mentioned that a home inspector with her experience would provide practical insights into what the house’s electrical system can manage.
"Hey, your current electrical setup only has a 75-amp capacity for this house, but considering your plans, you should ideally have either 150 or 200 amps," Coon explained as an illustration.
Furthermore, Gathers pointed out that occasionally, when removing an electrical panel, she encounters the issue of "double tapping," where an outlet has more connections than it ought to have.
"Many times, they opt for quicker solutions and might connect multiple wires to a single point, which can lead to overloading and potentially start a fire," she explained.
Rooms That Are Hard to Leave
Coon mentioned that too many individuals enter into a housing agreement without properly assessing whether an additional room truly qualifies as a bedroom.
She mentioned that a house advertised with four bedrooms could potentially only have three rooms suitable for safe usage.
That additional space is technically another room, but you should avoid using it. It often gets overlooked," she explained. "Many individuals fail to notice that I mention it cannot be classified as a bedroom since it lacks two exits.
To put it differently, an ideal bedroom should provide two means of egress, like a window and a doorway.
"If there's just one exit route and the fire is blocking the hallway with your bedroom as the only escape, nobody will be able to rescue you," Coon stated.
Moisture Damage
"Water in every form is the adversary of the house, rising from beneath the earth, circulating in the atmosphere, falling from the heavens," Conrad mentioned, adding that this issue often becomes evident to him as soon as he steps into the driveway.
He gave the example of arriving at a home right after it has rained and noticing that parts of it are not drying as fast as the rest of the house, which is a sign of moisture damage.
"When we observe moisture trapped within the cladding or stucco... often, stone veneer is frequently responsible for this issue. It’s easily identifiable from the street," he explained.
Water damage is not an issue you should delay addressing, particularly considering the financial implications. According to Conrad, repairs can become tenfold more expensive if left unattended since the harm "remains hidden and worsens." Additionally, he cautioned that in severe instances where significant amounts of water are involved, the composite wood panels commonly used in houses may deteriorate into what he described as "vertical mulch."
In the end, it's crucial to utilize this expert guidance as an initial checklist for thorough contemplation about what truly matters when selecting a new residence or reviewing your present one.
The top problem I encounter with home inspections is that the clients we serve do not review their home inspection report," Coon stated. "Instead, they depend on guidance from their real estate agents.
Even if purchasing a house isn't on your radar right now, you can adopt an internal home inspector’s mindset by examining your appliances and less frequented areas of your dwelling each season for possible damages or problems. Although this additional effort requires more time and financial investment, avoid postponing it — otherwise, it might result in larger complications further ahead.
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