Having an offer accepted on your dream house may seem like cause for celebration, but you’re not done just yet. You’ll need to get that home and its property inspected before you can pop the bubbly, and there are plenty of problems that could be hiding. This isn’t about peeling paint, which will be both obvious and pretty easy to fix, but about bigger ticket items that can affect the livability of the property. Here are 14 things that warrant extra attention during your home inspection.
1. Oil Tank
If you're buying a house that is heated using oil and intend to keep it that way, this might not be a big deal, but if the house is heated with gas, you should make sure to find out if there is an oil tank on the property. The home might once have been heated by oil.
If that's so, there are two possibilities if the oil tank is still present. One is that is has been filled willed with sand and gravel and the other is that it hasn't. You might be able to leave it there but certain localities might require that it be removed. New Jersey, for instance, requires that you have an above ground or in basement tank. No matter what, you'll need to ascertain it;s status and make sure it hasn't leaked into the ground. Cleaning up a mess like that can be expensive and a huge hassle.
2. HVAC system
A standard home inspector will confirm that a home's heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system (HVAC) is functional at the time of the inspection, but will make no guarantee that it will keep working once you purchase the home.
They should, however, be able to tell you how long your home air conditioning condenser (the unit outside) should last, simply by checking the serial number. Most condensers will last 12-15 years before requiring replacement.
3. Roof
Roof problems are responsible for 39 percent of homeowners insurance claims. Find out if there are any issues and if so you will likely need to bring it up to code.
4. Structural integrity of the chimney
Chimneys can be very costly enterprise, if there's damage to the chimney lining on the inside or if the masonry around the chimney is faulty, corroded, or whatever it may be, it could be a very costly repair.
5. Water drainage and disbursement
The biggest issue of any home is always going to be water disbursement. There is potential for damage to the foundation. If water is found to be in the vicinity of the house, you want the water to flow away from the house and not towards it.
Check the gutters and downspouts, because if they are not functioning properly it can damage the foundation.
6. Electrical system
If there is knob and tube wiring, also known as K&T, usually found in homes from 1880 to 1930's. The strange system is usually ungrounded, which leads to potential for electric shock.
Another thing to look out for is Federal Pacific Electric panel. When circuit breakers are tripped on those systems it often leads to overheating and fire.
7. Foundation
You want to make sure the houses foundation is stable. Like the roof, it's possible you'll have to bring it up to code as the new owner. Foundation issues can be extremely costly.
8. Quality of flooring
The obvious thing is wood destroying insects, that can be carpenter bee's, carpenter ant's, powder beetles, and of course, termites.
Subfloors that are covered up with carpet, or laminate can cause additional issues if not carefully examined. Prospective owners can use their feet to detect soft spots in the subfloor where wood is weak, or use their sense of smell to detect moldy or musty odor's that could be an indication of wood rot.
9. Noxious Gas
Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, but it is radioactive and carcinogenic. The U.S. EPA recommends that all homes be tested for the presence of radon.
10. Asbestos
If you are considering a home built before 1980, it's worth using an inspector that has some experience with asbestos that can make a reasonable judgement about whether disturbed asbestos fibers are present based on visual inspection.
Asbestos was used as insulation in construction for a long time, but it turned out it was hazardous to human health. If undisturbed, it might be safe, but abating it before it becomes a problems wise. Just a few places it can be found, on interior heating pipes, flooring, siding, and roofing shingles.
11. Exhaust fans
Make sure they vent outside, even up to 15 years ago some were being vented into attics, which can cause mold.
12. Lead Paint
Lead paint is mostly and issue with older homes,particularly when you replace old windows. Lead paint was used until 1978.
13. Waste Systems
Many homes once used septic systems and many still do. An abandoned system over time can cave in. Even newer sewer pipes can be damaged by tree roots.
14. Condos and Co-ops
When buying in a condo or a co-op you need to inspect more than just your unit.
You need to consider the entire building. Speak to condo board members to try and ascertain what types of repairs will soon be needed. Also read the notes from prior meeting, and look for any mentions of repairs.
Finally, the day before or the day of, you should do a final walk-thru and make sure everything is how it is supposed to be.
