Buying a home is a monumental commitment and desirable lifetime investment to many people. However, inspecting the condition of the property before buying it is a wise step to take. The home inspection does not only focus on the design issues, code and curb appeal of the home but mainly on the performance of all installed systems. Before you sign the purchase deal on the dotted line of the contract, involve professional inspectors from a reputable home inspection Des Moines company to avoid costly repairs later. The following are areas that professionals inspect in a residential house on sale.
The roof is certainly the most important part of the house that any buyer inspects first. Get to the top of the roof to find out if the flashing caulk is cracked, and if there is a single missing or broken shingles. You will need to replace the rubber boots that protect vent pipes if they are cracked. Lichens and moss growth on the roof indicate that the underside of the roof is decaying.
The inspection process is not over before the basement is thoroughly inspected for leakage and dampness. Basements with moisture problems produce musty and damp odors that are easy to detect with your nose. If the basement is damp, then look for water leakage on the ceiling and floor of the house. The walls of the interior basement should not be cracked, and the exposed wood beam should not show any sign of decay. The presence of moisture in the basement may be as a result of hydrostatic pressure, precipitation and groundwater.
Mold growth at the basement shows there is water leakage. Molds produce an unpleasant odor, look awful, deteriorate curb appeal of the house and cause health problems. Molds normally grow in the dampest and darkest sections of the house. If you occupy the house with molds growing on the basement, you may suffer asthma, allergic reactions and headaches.
You also need to ensure the AC unit is in good condition and performing. If the previous occupant did not maintain then AC units in good condition, their ductwork would be faulty by the time you are occupying it. Loose seam fittings, dirt streaks, peeling duct tape, metal dents and collapsed flex ducts are the main causes of defective ductwork. A good unit should produce a blue flame. Ensure there are no dirt, leaves, pet hair and shrubs in the HVAC condenser unit fins, grills and thermostats.
Check for electrical malfunctions especially if the residential house you are buying is not new. Any weird odor or sparking from the breaker panel, fuse box or any other power point indicates electrical problems. You should not occupy the house before the naked extension wires are coated and the hot switch plates and outlets covered. Ensure there are no tripped breakers, blown fuses, black switches, hot plugs and sockets fitted into the skirting boards.
Walk into the kitchen, toilet and bathroom to assess the condition of the plumbing system. For instance, low water pressure is a common plumbing problem in sinks with calcium deposit buildup. Find out if the sinks and tubs are draining properly or if they need to be unclogged. Finally, check if the faucets are leaky and if the toilet is running or clogged.
Occupying a house with faulty systems and appliances will cost you more in repair work and replacement. Ensuring fireplaces and electric systems are in good condition keep your family members safe from life-threatening incidences. Moreover, inspecting the house before occupying it reduces the occurrence of respiratory and asthmatic problems.
The roof is certainly the most important part of the house that any buyer inspects first. Get to the top of the roof to find out if the flashing caulk is cracked, and if there is a single missing or broken shingles. You will need to replace the rubber boots that protect vent pipes if they are cracked. Lichens and moss growth on the roof indicate that the underside of the roof is decaying.
The inspection process is not over before the basement is thoroughly inspected for leakage and dampness. Basements with moisture problems produce musty and damp odors that are easy to detect with your nose. If the basement is damp, then look for water leakage on the ceiling and floor of the house. The walls of the interior basement should not be cracked, and the exposed wood beam should not show any sign of decay. The presence of moisture in the basement may be as a result of hydrostatic pressure, precipitation and groundwater.
Mold growth at the basement shows there is water leakage. Molds produce an unpleasant odor, look awful, deteriorate curb appeal of the house and cause health problems. Molds normally grow in the dampest and darkest sections of the house. If you occupy the house with molds growing on the basement, you may suffer asthma, allergic reactions and headaches.
You also need to ensure the AC unit is in good condition and performing. If the previous occupant did not maintain then AC units in good condition, their ductwork would be faulty by the time you are occupying it. Loose seam fittings, dirt streaks, peeling duct tape, metal dents and collapsed flex ducts are the main causes of defective ductwork. A good unit should produce a blue flame. Ensure there are no dirt, leaves, pet hair and shrubs in the HVAC condenser unit fins, grills and thermostats.
Check for electrical malfunctions especially if the residential house you are buying is not new. Any weird odor or sparking from the breaker panel, fuse box or any other power point indicates electrical problems. You should not occupy the house before the naked extension wires are coated and the hot switch plates and outlets covered. Ensure there are no tripped breakers, blown fuses, black switches, hot plugs and sockets fitted into the skirting boards.
Walk into the kitchen, toilet and bathroom to assess the condition of the plumbing system. For instance, low water pressure is a common plumbing problem in sinks with calcium deposit buildup. Find out if the sinks and tubs are draining properly or if they need to be unclogged. Finally, check if the faucets are leaky and if the toilet is running or clogged.
Occupying a house with faulty systems and appliances will cost you more in repair work and replacement. Ensuring fireplaces and electric systems are in good condition keep your family members safe from life-threatening incidences. Moreover, inspecting the house before occupying it reduces the occurrence of respiratory and asthmatic problems.
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If you urgently need to arrange for home inspection Des Moines company is the right source of contact. Visit this page now and schedule a date via http://www.prositehomeinspections.com.
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