How to Do Quick Home Inspection? Everything You Need to Know Before Purchasing House
Have you thought of buying a new house, or are you looking to get one soon?
Well, buying a new property is one of the most complex things that a person can do. The reason for the complexity is that the process includes a lot of unknowns, which require decision-making and risk management.
Purchasers should always compare the money that they will spend against the value that the property brings. Newly built houses may cost an arm and a leg, but at the same time, they will save the buyer the effort required before the purchase and will limit the risk associated with the purchase.
In many cases, buying a newly built house is ridiculously expensive and not an offerable option, as it may not be the best economic option. Thus, many people tend to buy an old house, renovate it, and flip it. This may save them a ton of money and make the purchase even more possible. However, this may put more risk on their backs and may not always be the best economic option.
For example, considering buying an old house with critical damage to the foundation walls may result of future unknown cost. Fixing the foundation wall may be as expensive as buying new property. You may put the same amount of money but the returned value will not be the same.
In either case, you will always need to bring a certified engineer or home inspector to perform a home inspection and report any deficiencies found during the inspection.
In this process, the home inspector will go on site and make sure things are in compliance with the code. The inspector's job will include inspecting every single system in your house by making a visual assessment of the system components. Any deficiencies in the components will be reported, and thereupon the system will be assessed.
Roof System
When inspecting roofs, you should not go on top of the roof to check the condition of the roof. In many cases, the condition of the room can be assessed visually from outside without the need to reach the roof.
You need to assess the condition of the covering material and make sure that it can withstand harsh weather conditions. Normally, this is the main component to inspect on the roof. No more than two shingle layers are allowed. Make sure that they are installed properly.
You can also inspect the gutters to make sure that there is no damage to them. Small damage can result in great damage to your house and roof system.
In addition, check the downspout diverter pipe and make sure that it drains water freely without any problems. Small damage to this pipe can increase the velocity of the water, which may in turn cause erosion of the soil where the pipe discharges.
After that, check the structure of the roof and insulation from attic place.
Exterior System
The first component you want to inspect is the exterior wall. Recording the type and material of walls is essential for assessing houses.
On the one hand, Although vinyl siding is a cheap product, but it is very efficient and durable.
In another sense, brick exterior walls are an expansive solution, but their maintenance cost is even higher, and they are a less durable material than vinyl.
Identifying the components of the exterior system is important for risk management because it determines whether you will mitigate or avoid problems with a wall.
Confirm the paint condition, if applicable, and make sure that all walls are in great condition. The walls must be no less than 8 inches higher than ground level.
In cold countries where heavy snow storms may hit, more than 8 inches may be considered.
Make sure the attic receives adequate ventilation from outside and all trims are in great condition.
If exterior decking is available, then you need to inspect the material and make sure there are no damages to the lumber. The height of the guard rail should be within 34"–36".
The inspector should also check the grade that surrounds the house. In ideal conditions, grades should be graded 2%–5% toward the street. This is required to drive runoff toward the street instead of taking it to the basement.
The cover type is important to inspect, whether it is a grass yard or a concrete driveway. You also need to check the condition of the asphalt paving and make sure it is acceptable.
Small cracks in the driveway may result in potholes and damage to the pavement. Thus, reporting the condition of the pavement is required.
Exterior sheds, fencing, trees, and walkways are also components of the exterior system that may be inspected.
Basement System
Basements are the first thing to inspect after entering houses. Due to different environmental conditions, basements tend to experience the majority of problems in the house.
Problems may include cracks, water leakage, and humidity. The inspector shall inspect the foundation, basement walls, and crawl spaces, if any.
Crawl spaces defined in the code as basements with height of 1.5m or less
Structural problems are common in basements, and therefore, all bearing walls, joists, and wood frames must be inspected to make sure the structure is capable of withstanding the applied load.
Due to hydrostatic pressure on foundation walls, cracks may be present, especially in masonry walls.
The presence of water in the basement may indicate a problem that requires a solution. Sometimes it is a pool in the ground, but mostly, it is hidden as moisture, which cannot be identified without tools.
Heat System
When inspecting the house, it is important to identify the heating system and check it, if possible.
Generally, houses can be heated in three main ways; conductive, radiation, and convection. Radiation is the most common way in which heat is transformed by radiation. An example of that is a camping fire.
Conductive heat is the heat caused by steam or boiling water.
Radiation heat is the most efficient way to warm up a house in the winter. An example of that is the baseboard heater, which is the most common way to warm houses, at least in North America.
A heat pump is an example of convection heating. This gets effected more quickly by the cooling system, which makes it less efficient.
Testing the heating system is recommended during inspection to confirm the functionality of the system. This includes testing the furnace and making sure it functions as it should.
Cooling System
A cooling system is another essential system to test during the site visit.
Before we go deeper into the topic, you need to understand that cool air has a higher density than hot air. This results in cool air being at lower levels of the house, since the hot air gets pushed to the top levels.
For that reason, In North America, it is common to find most bedrooms on the top floors. This provides adequate heat during the winter.
However, we need to provide enough air to improve the quality of life in one area and reduce humidity in another. Thus, mechanical ventilation is provided where vapor may be present.
Vapor may result from human breath, cooking, or even after taking hot showers.
Air conditioning systems should be provided and operated only when the outside air temperature is above 18° C. Below that, the system will not operate properly.
The inspector shall test the system and identify the location of the thermostat.
When testing the system, make sure to inspect all the components, such as outdoor devices, electrical switches, wires, pipes, and inside devices.
Plumping System
When entering the house, make sure to test all water tabs and check the quality of the water. The drainage system also should be inspected to make sure that there is no leak or deficiency in the system.
Flush the toilets and drain the bath tub and drain to make sure the plumbing system is working properly.
Remember, one of the most expensive systems to fix is the plumbing. This may require permits and excavations in the street, which may cost an arm and a leg.
- The check list here is:
- Main water supply shut off valve
- Main fuel supply shut-off valve
- Water heater equipment, temperature, venting connection, and energy source You may also want to check the volume of the heater. This is normally written on equipment.
- Functionality of drainage systems, including: toilets, sinks, tubes, and showers
- Sump pump, if available. You can fill it with buckets to make sure it works fine
The curb valve located outside is not required and is the responsibility of the municipality.
Make sure that the flow of water is normal. If not, try to open all the water tabs at the same time and check if the problem still exists.
Attic, Insulation and Ventilation
Attic places can be accessed from the inside. Make sure that proper insulation is provided in the attic system. The other thing to check is whether there is enough ventilation.
Poor ventilation in attic places may cause various problems and affect the quality of the air in the house. Rusty nails are one of the signs that indicate that a place is not ventilated as it should be.
If mechanical ventilation is installed in the attic, make sure that all ducts are insulated properly.
Check the condition of kitchen exhaust, washroom exhaust, and Dryer exhaust.
All the exterior walls must be insulated using fiberglass insulation. Unfortunately, you cannot inspect the insulation type as it is hidden under drywall.
Rigid insulation is not effective when it comes to insulation and it used in basement walls only to prevent frost. Fiberglass insulation is typical for interior walls.
Interior System
Doors and windows will be identified and tested during the inspection. Wood windows are more effective than vinyl windows when it comes to insulation.
The most common places for moisture to accumulate are around windows and doors. This may cause corrosion of the materials.
Finding moisture or mold around the windows might be a sign of bad roofing system. Thus, more investigation may be required.
All windows to be double-layered, thermopane, with an air gap in between.
Insulated steel doors with required hardware are to be inspected during the visit, if possible.
Floor, celling, and walls to be inspected for any deficiencies.
The type of flooring is important, and it may effect other systems. It can be laminated, wood, vinyl, tiles, or even carpet.
Carpet flooring is the best when it comes to sound insulations especially between two floors.
It is also important to make sure that the stairs are designed as per the building codes.
Mostly, stair risers cannot be more than 7 1/2" and run no less than 10 1/2". Handrail to be 34"-38" high. The width between handrails should be no less than 0.8 m.
You can also check the structure's stability and report any problems, if possible. The electrical system also needs to be inspected by testing the switches inside the house. However, it is highly recommended to maintain safety by having an expert inspect the electrical system.
Finally, it is very important to maintain safety during any house visit. Avoid touching exposed wires and be extra careful when dealing with old systems. It is always recommended to leave the job to experts, as there are a lot of complications when it comes to house inspections. The fireplace is another component that can be inspected during the inspection.
Please make sure that the standards mentioned above are the most common ones, and codes may change depending on where you leave.
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