Common Home Defects All Buyers and Sellers Should Be Aware Of
Home defects come in all shapes and sizes. From structural problems to air flow and ventilation issues, a lot of things can go wrong with your home. Whether you're buying or selling your home or simply staying put, you should be aware of some of the common home defects that abound so you can fix them quickly and easily before they become catastrophes. Poor Drainage According to Elsa Home Inspections, poor drainage is the most common problem found by home inspectors. To improve your drainage, you may have to install a new system of eaves, troughs and downspouts to better aim water away from the house. Inadequate drainage can be a devastating defect. Water can damage basements, garages and crawl spaces, compromising the foundation of the home and creating mold. Taking care of this issue is of dire importance, and buyers should avoid purchasing homes that may have drainage problems. Rotted Wood Another important defect to watch out for is rotted wood, both inside and outside the home. Wood exposed to excess moisture is bound to rot. This can happen in bathrooms, on flooring or even in the kitchen. The Home Team Inspection Service recommends finding these problem areas in your home and protecting them with a special paint or finish. Don't forget to check your deck and outside trim as well. Bad Roofing Always be attentive of a structure's roof. Damaged shingles or improperly installed flashing are severe warning signs that trouble lurks ahead. Check for leaky ceilings as a sign of a damaged roof. Repairing the roof is crucial in order to prevent further damage later. Although it may be an expensive repair, it's always best to take care of it before it affects other parts of the home. Inadequate Ventilation Without proper ventilation, a build up of moisture can attack a home's interior walls and structural components, says Elsa Home Inspections. Ventilation fans are a good idea for bathrooms without windows, and opening all of the home's windows during bouts of good weather also helps keep the air moving. Doing so can help prevent drywall replacements or other more expensive structural replacements. Find out the best way to keep your house ventilated and keep that air flowing. Poor Overall Maintenance Has the house been properly maintained over the years? How confident are you in the previous owner's repair skills? Sometimes improper maintenance can affect many parts of the home, such as the plumbing and electrical systems. Scope out any makeshift repairs and have a professional take a look, if necessary. Faulty wiring jobs and plumbing situations are not cases to be taken lightly. If a house doesn't look well-kept, this may be reason enough to send buyers running. With the proper maintenance, any home defect can be righted to ensure a safe living environment for any family. For sellers, make sure major problems with the home are taken care of before listing the home. This is a great way to make sure you get the most money from your investment. Buyers should ask questions regarding these common red flags and if a house has too many defects, they may want to walk away. For current homeowners, fixing these issues now will not only ensure safety for all of the home's inhabitants, but it will also help increase your home's value when it comes to selling time. For more information, visit http://www.elsahomeinspections.com and http://www.hometeaminspection.com/. |
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