In honor of Halloween, here are 13 reasons that anyone who is considering the purchase of a home (new or previously owned) should hire a home inspector:
Potential Structural Issues
A trained professional such as a home engineer can look at areas where structural problems normally originate and see if any surprises are waiting. There are many things about the foundation and structure of a home that the untrained eye would miss. A trained home inspector – preferably a home inspector with an engineering degree – can identify structural issues and advise accordingly.
Hidden Fire Damage
Wood damaged by fire is weakened and can become structurally unsafe, but it can also be hidden before an unscrupulous contractor. A home inspector knows where to look to find old fire damage, which isn’t always easy to see.
Mold Detection and Proper Prevention
If mold is left untreated and undetected, it can spread throughout the entire house. Since mold is sometimes toxic (potentially deadly in some cases), you need a professional to look for it before you buy.
Dangerous Wiring
Bad wiring can become a fire hazard and cause serious damage. A professional home inspector can spot trouble and help you determine if you need a more complete inspection from a certified electrician.
Hail Damage
When hail starts falling, the first place people run to is their homes. As you sit in your home and hear the hail pelting your roof, you are thankful for the protection your home offers. But that hail is doing damage to your roof and siding. A home inspector can spot hail damage that’s often invisible to the untrained eye.
Tree Growth
Trees can be dangerous to a home above and below the ground. Large branches that hang out over structures could fall off and cause damage, while a tree’s root system can destroy the home’s foundation.
Holes In The Roof
The untrained eye can scan a roof and not see a single hole. But when it rains, the ceiling stain gets larger and larger – or worse, the ceiling collapses. The professional eye of a home inspector will find the hard-to-see holes in a roof and let you know exactly how much roof repair needs to be done to stop the leaking.
Exposed Wiring
Wiring junction boxes without covers and wires that have no insulation on them are fire hazards waiting to happen. A wiring system that may look just fine to the average homeowner may have several spots where exposed wires make things very dangerous.
Water Damage in the Basement
People who don’t spend time in their basement can often be unaware of (or simply ignore) basement water seepage, but that’s unwise. Seepage, especially over a few years, can destroy the integrity of a home’s foundation.
Sawdust Insulation
It is hard to believe, but some homes still have sawdust in the attic as insulation. Not only is sawdust an ineffective form of insulation, but it is also a significant fire hazard.
Uneven Ground and Ground Movement
Many places in the world have problems with soil movement. If the home you’re considering sits above ground that has the potential to shift, you can have severe structural problems that can cause tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Denver structural home inspectors, for example, need an engineering degree to deliver structural assessments.
Dangerous Electrical Distribution Panels
Specific models of electrical distribution panels and fuse boxes pose a fire hazard at all times and need to be replaced. Many of them were recalled, but most homeowners don’t find out about recalls and so many of the panels with defects have never been replaced.
Asbestos
Older homes have asbestos insulation, siding, and floor tiles. This asbestos needs to be removed to make the home safe and brought up to local building codes, the last thing you want to do is buy a home that contains asbestos.
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