Buying a home is a desirable investment and monumental commitment to most people today. However, it is not advisable to buy a residential house before you inspect its condition. The home inspection does not only involve examining the code, design and curb appeal of the house, but also the efficiency and performance of the systems therein. Before you close the house buying deal, engage experts from a home inspection Des Moines firm to save repair costs later. The areas you should inspect with a sharp eye are elaborated below.
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 basement is another area property buyers should keenly inspect. Damp or moist basements usually produce musty and unpleasant odor easy to sniff. A damp basement indicates that water could be leaking from the floor or the ceiling. You will also know the basement is leaking once you find cracks on the basement wall or if the exposed wood beam is rotten. The basement may be damp due to precipitation, hydrostatic pressure or 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.
Look for plumbing problems in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen. Most new occupants experience low water pressure in their kitchen sinks due to accumulated calcium deposits. Assess the drainage level of the tubs and sinks in the house you want to buy. If the toilet is clogged or running and the faucets are leaking, ensure they are fixed before you occupy the house.
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 basement is another area property buyers should keenly inspect. Damp or moist basements usually produce musty and unpleasant odor easy to sniff. A damp basement indicates that water could be leaking from the floor or the ceiling. You will also know the basement is leaking once you find cracks on the basement wall or if the exposed wood beam is rotten. The basement may be damp due to precipitation, hydrostatic pressure or 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.
Look for plumbing problems in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen. Most new occupants experience low water pressure in their kitchen sinks due to accumulated calcium deposits. Assess the drainage level of the tubs and sinks in the house you want to buy. If the toilet is clogged or running and the faucets are leaking, ensure they are fixed before you occupy the house.
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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