{"id":143,"date":"2016-12-16T10:19:15","date_gmt":"2016-12-16T10:19:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.awebtoknow.com\/?p=143"},"modified":"2022-09-06T20:03:36","modified_gmt":"2022-09-06T16:03:36","slug":"home-inspection-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.awebtoknow.com\/how\/home-inspection-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY Home Inspection Checklist Before Buying the Real estate"},"content":{"rendered":"
You found your dream home. It fits your budget. You hired a home inspector. It’s all good, right? Not necessarily. There are limits to what the inspector will check. He checks for material defects that may affect the sale or the sale price of the home. He looks at what is visible. He doesn’t go scouting around trying to uncover problems that will be significant to you after you move in.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n So you inspect the house also. Doing so will likely save you a lot of frustration later on. It may also save you money. You’ll be able to negotiate with the current owners to have the repairs done or lower their selling price.<\/p>\n You need to know that home inside and out before signing on the dotted line. So put on work gloves and sturdy shoes or boots. Grab a flashlight and a couple tools to poke around with. No one cares as much about the condition of the home as you do.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div> <\/div>\n Roof leaks are the primary problem missed in home inspections. As a rule, home inspectors are not really going to climb up onto the roof<\/a>. Some may use binoculars to see what they can see from ground level. You have to get up there to make sure it’s in good condition.<\/span><\/p>\n Also check the gutters, downspouts, and flashing. Find out how old a roof is. The expected life of most roofs is 20-some years.<\/span><\/p>\n Your nose will come in handy for this inspection. Sniff out damp or musty odors. Look for evidence of water leakage<\/a> on the floor and ceiling and around the foundation. See if those exposed wooden beams are rotting. Look for cracks in the walls. Check plumbing systems in the basement for signs of leakage.<\/span><\/p>\n If the house has a crawl space, get in there and look for moisture, cracks in the foundation<\/a>, and deteriorating exposed wood.<\/span><\/p>\n Again, get your nose tuned in to damp and musty odors. Look for evidence of water leakage and damage on the ceiling and walls. See if the insulation has water damage. Also, make sure that there is adequate insulation for the local climate<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The mortar should not be crumbling and loose. Look for a rain cap on the chimney. Examine the exterior of the chimney for stains due to smoke or creosote.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Check the models and capacity to ensure you have the appropriate size for the house. Also, find out how old they are. An AC unit needs to be tuned up, cleaned and checked every year.\u00a0A furnace lasts 15-18 years<\/a>. If you have any concerns, hire a certified professional\u00a0to inspect these systems<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n In the bathroom and kitchen, look for water stains, sagging floors, and\/or mildew in plumbing areas. Turn on every faucet to assess the water pressure. Check how well sinks and tubs drain. Inspect toilets for pressure and for leaks<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n On the water heater, check the model and capacity to make sure the size is sufficient for you and your family. Find out the age. A water heater lasts around 10 years. The regular plumbing inspection<\/a>\u00a0is generally based on these kinds of steps and it is recommended to get it once every two years.<\/span><\/p>\n The fuse box or main breaker box should be easily accessible and in good condition. Spliced wiring outside electric boxes is evidence of sloppy work. Not a good sign for the wiring that is hidden behind the walls. Electricity can be dangerous and even fatal. If you need work done or a more comprehensive inspection, you need to contact a licensed electrician.<\/span><\/p>\n Make sure the house has enough outlets<\/a>. Kitchen and bathroom outlets need to be protected with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI).<\/span><\/p>\n The home inspector will check some kitchen appliances briefly to see if they are working. Check them all yourself, so that you’re sure all are working. Find out how old the kitchen appliances and the washer and dryer are to approximate how much life they have left.<\/span><\/p>\n Open and close all doors and windows to see if they open easily and close soundly. Check around windows for mildew and moisture. Window fog usually indicates the seal is broken<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Examine drywall for signs of water damage<\/a> and to see if it’s pulling away from the interior wall framing. Check for cracks in walls and ceilings, which could indicate structural damage to the house. Walk over all floor surfaces to notice any spongy or weak areas, which could indicate wet or dry rot.<\/span><\/p>\n Termites:<\/em> Look sawdust crumbs around windows, doors and molding. In the basement or crawl space, look for tubes about as round as a pencil that snake along joists. Break the tube. If termites scurry out or if the tube is rebuilt in a few days, call an exterminator and learn what they are checking as well<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n Mice:<\/em> The longer a home has been vacant, the more time mice have had a chance to settle in. Beware of homes that have been unoccupied for several months, at least. Of course, mice droppings are a dead giveaway that there are mice. In the garage, maybe not a big deal. Inside the house, look for voids in a wall or cabinet where the mice can enter.<\/span><\/p>\nRoof<\/h2>\n
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\nBasement<\/h2>\n
\nAttic<\/h2>\n
\nFireplace and Chimney<\/h2>\n
\nHVAC<\/h2>\n
\nPlumbing<\/h2>\n
\nElectrical<\/h2>\n
\nAppliances<\/h2>\n
\nDoors and Windows<\/h2>\n
\nCeilings, Walls, and Floors<\/h2>\n
\nPests<\/h2>\n