Signs That You Need to Get a Home Inspection

Most people will get their home inspected before they go through with purchasing it. However, it’s still a good idea to have your home inspected throughout your ownership. Doing so can help you identify problems early on and avoid expensive repairs.

You Have Plumbing Leaks

Your plumbing faces a lot of wear and tear over time and this can lead to some damage. One of the major signs of issues with your plumbing is when you experience a leak. Often, you can identify leaks if you hear dripping noise, notice water pooled in places it shouldn’t be, or if your water bill is much higher than it should be. If your plumbing is leaking, it can lead to water damage within your home. This can cause structural issues, mold, and warped wood. Water damage can develop over time and if it goes unchecked for too long, it will be very expensive to repair the damage. Once you notice something is leaking, you should take action to address it and have it inspected.

The Flooring is Uneven

In old houses, it’s common for things to shift and for your floor to tilt or become uneven. While it’s common, it is also a sign of several kinds of damage. One type is structural damage. Your floor may be sagging if the foundation, supports, or frame of the house are rotting or crumbling. Your floor may also be uneven if there is excess moisture in your home. This moisture can come from groundwater, leaky pipes, and many other sources. It can cause your floor to warp, bubble, or sag. If your floors are uneven or sloping, you should have them inspected to determine the source of the damage and what kinds of repairs need to be done.  

You Notice Electrical Damage

Electrical damage can be very dangerous and it should be addressed quickly. There are many signs you can look for to determine if there is any electrical damage in your home. Flickering lights, burnt odors, and warmth around outlets, switches, and wires. There may also be damage if you hear buzzing or popping noises and if your breaker trips often. These signs are all fairly obvious and you’ll notice without any kind of intervention. However, an inspector can look closer for less obvious signs and determine the extent of the damage.

You’re Getting Sick

One of the more subtle signs of problems is if you find yourself often getting sick in your home. There can be many contaminants and allergens in your home. It may take a thorough inspection to determine what exactly is causing you to get sick. For example, there could be mold growing in different areas of your home and this can cause a potential health risk. While there are plenty of issues related to your home itself, you could also be getting sick because of allergens circulating through your air system. This is often true if you have pets. Some dogs like Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic and reduce illness from allergies. Getting hypoallergenic pets and thoroughly cleaning your HVAC system can help reduce allergens.

Your Windows and Doors aren’t Sealed

Having energy leaks in your home can increase your energy bills and make your HVAC system work much harder. If you notice gaps in your windows and doors or if they are not properly sealed, you could have energy leaks. It’s important to get this addressed. An inspector can identify any other energy leaks in your home, such as in the attic or in a crawlspace. In addition to energy leaks, gaps and openings in your home can also be an invitation to pests. Even the smallest openings can allow pests into your home. Your inspector can help you find all openings so you can take steps to seal them up.

There Are Cracks Around Your Foundation

If you find cracks in your foundation, you should take some time to understand what these cracks mean. Some are normal while some are indicative of more serious issues. Of course, hiring an inspector can help you determine where your issues may lie. If you find vertical cracks in your foundation, it may be due to shrinkage that took place when the concrete settled after construction. Often, these cracks are found in the middle of walls. If vertical cracks appear near corners, there may be other problems. Horizontal cracks are almost always due to more serious issues and usually are the result of excess pressure on the foundation.

You HVAC System Has Decreased Airflow

Your HVAC system has many components that keep the temperature in your home comfortable and keep the air circulating. Since there are so many components, however, there is also potential for many problems to arise. If you notice that your HVAC system has decreased airflow or if it takes a long time to heat or cool your home, often this means that your HVAC system needs to be cleaned out. However, there may be other issues impacting your system. An inspection can help you determine if there is wear and tear or if parts of your HVAC system have stopped working.

The Attic is Poorly Ventilated

Having proper ventilation in your attic is another way to reduce energy leaks and it can prevent future issues such as ice dams on your roof. There are several signs of a poorly ventilated roof. First of all, you should see vents on your roof. Not all roofs will have the same vents, so become familiar with what kind are likely to be on your roof. Without ventilation, your shingles will not last as long. If you touch your ceiling on a hot day and it feels warm, then your attic is not ventilated enough and this warms up your attic. Have your inspector review your attic to find the best ways to ventilate it.

Many issues in your home can go unnoticed for a long time. If you don’t recognize them, they can develop and become a much bigger problem. Be aware of the signs and get your home inspected. Then you won’t have to worry about any of the potential damage previously mentioned!

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