Home Inspection Issues 2020 Edition

By Admin Wednesday July 14, 2021

2020 has been an unusual and challenging year for all of us. The real estate market, in particular, has taken a hit. In general, sales have gone down because of rising unemployment and social distancing. According to a survey conducted in April 2020, half of the agents conducted virtual tours and greater portions of the sales were first-time buyers.

Of course, the effect of the pandemic is different in each city depending on the local conditions. In New York, for instance—once the center of the pandemic in the U.S.—new listings of homes for sale initially dropped by as much as 70%.

Nonetheless, buying a house is a big investment. Whether you are purchasing a house that seems to be in pristine condition or a fixer-upper that needs work, it is important that you have the home inspected before you commit to it.

A home inspector examines the current condition of your house and points out any flaws in the house that may need be repaired before the sale is finalized. That being said, it is always a good idea to have a general understanding of the common type of issues that you may encounter.

Let’s look at some common home inspection findings:

Problems with the Foundation

Your home inspector will look for issues with the foundation, such as cracks in the settlement or dampness in the crawlspace. Since most homes in the U.S. are built on expansive soil, they may shift up to two inches per season.

Moreover, a faulty drainage system can wreak havoc on your foundation. Bad gutters may fail to channel water away from the structure, causing the moisture to be absorbed by the foundation leading to mold and rot.

Other issues that can lead to a cracked foundation include:

• Missing steel reinforcement in the foundation
• Tree roots growing under the foundation
• A second story added without properly reinforcing the original footing

Issues with Pipes and Plumbing

Often, issues as small as a slow drain or leaky faucet can encompass bigger problems like cross-connection issues. This is when another water source contaminates the household water.

An overlooked plumbing issue can cause mold to spread throughout the house.

Additionally, clogged or improperly installed gutters can lead to roof damage as the water pools on top of the house causing roofing problems.

HVAC Problems

HVAC systems account for a good portion of your electricity bill, which is why it is essential you get them checked by a licensed home inspector. Some common problems that home inspectors encounter include improper installation and poor maintenance of HVAC systems. They may check the flue pipes and ductwork for this purpose.

A home inspector will also check the wiring of the HVAC system, ensuring gas-fired furnaces have proper ventilation and that there are no gas leaks.

Signs that the HVAC equipment installed is not performing at peak efficiency are moisture stains, dirty air filters, and damaged or disconnected supply ducts.

Many of these issues are difficult to spot, and hiring an experienced home inspector is the best way to get accurate and detailed information about the property you plan to purchase.

Hire professional home inspection services serving Long Island, Brooklyn, and Southern New York State and today! Our team of home inspectors at Clear Sight Inspections covers every aspect of a residential property, giving you confidence in your new home purchase.

Schedule an online inspection with some of the best home inspectors in Brooklyn.