Buying your dream house is a cause for celebration. However, although the property may look great, chances are that some hidden problems are lurking. Hidden problems may cost you a lot more than the ones you noticed when you first walked through the home. If you want to avoid unpleasant surprises, it is crucial to do a home inspection. Here is what you need to inspect before buying a new house.
1. Roof and the Attic
The roof and attic are usually at the top of every home inspector’s checklist. It is expensive to replace a roof; unfortunately, many homeowners neglect to check them year after year. Usually, the roof is only checked when the home is up for sale.
The roof is connected to the attic, so if the roof has any problems such as tile damage or daylight coming through, it will affect the attic. So, ensure your home inspection includes a full structural check on the condition of the roof and attic. If you find problems on the roof that you don’t know how to deal with, seek advice from a roofer in Charlottesville VA specialist.
2. HVAC System
A standard home inspection should confirm that the home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system work properly at the time of inspection. This inspection does not guarantee that the HVAC system will keep working after your purchase. However, your inspector should tell you how long the HVAC condenser should last just by checking its serial number. Most condensers should last up to 15 years before needing replacement.
3. Mold
One of the primary things you should check for when inspecting a home is mold. Mold turns off home buyers, and the reason is understandable. Do a thorough search for mold when inspecting the home, especially if you or your loved ones have respiratory issues.
Many homes often have mold somewhere inside. Anywhere moisture succeeds to penetrate the shell of a house becomes a major breeding spot for mold. But, not all mold issues should be a cause for alarm.
If you find some mold, it should be an easy problem to solve, especially if the current owner is happy to take care of it, so don’t fear. But if your realtor and home inspector say it is a serious problem based on the type and severity, don’t buy.
Most homes have mold. There are different types of mold; some are very benign, but others can cause grievous health complications. The most common type is known as Stachybotrys chartarum. It is very toxic and if you discover it during a home inspection, you must deal with it immediately.
4. Plumbing System
Check for potential cracks and leaks. If the pipes are rusty and too old, most likely they will leak and damage the foundations of the home. The moisture can also cause other problems, such as mold, insects, and pests.
The best way to determine whether the water system of the house works well or not is to turn on several faucets and flash several toilets simultaneously. This will help you know how well the water system works under a big load.
Experts also recommend that you inspect the septic system to avoid future drainage problems. Excessive disposal in the septic tank is a sign of carelessness and neglect, and you must sort out this waste disposal system before coming to live in the home.
5. Pests
One common problem to check for before purchasing a house is pests. In older homes, it is normal to deal with the occasional ant or mouse problem. But you should not consider some ants in the sugar and a few mice a pest or insect infestation. However, some houses have serious problems, ones you need to know about before moving in. For instance, termites can damage the structure of a home if you leave them unaddressed.
The home you intend to buy could have a serious problem with bats in the attic. If you are an enemy of bats, you’d make sure to know about such a problem, and if you don’t do the home inspection, probably you’ll never know about it until it’s too late.
You need to hire an inspector to check out the property you want to buy, and the management agent or superintendent should be able to give the inspector the needed access to the basement, roof, and other spaces that require inspection. If they refuse your request, this may be a red flag. You should also do a walk-through on the closing day to ensure everything is still in order before signing any papers.