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.
First get to the roof to inspect it in different aspects. See whether there are missing or broken shingles and if the flashing has cracked caulk and rust spots. Check if the shingles are curling, blistering and buckling. You could also check if the rubber boots of the vent pipes have cracks. The presence of moss and lichen masses on the rooftop shows the roof is decaying from the underneath, and quick repair is crucial.
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.
Another important sign of water leakage you should inspect is mold growth in the basement. Molds are easy to identify because of their disgusting odor and awful look. Molds are fond of growing in the dampest and darkest areas in the house. If they are not identified and controlled in good time, they deteriorate the beauty and value of the house on sale and pose health problems to the occupants.
Make sure the air conditioners in the new house are working properly and are in good condition. If the former occupant did not take good care of the air conditioners, their ductwork would be defective. Most air conditioners become defective as a result of torn flex ducts, metal dents, peeling duct tape, loose seam fittings and dirt streaks. If the air conditioning unit shows flickering orange or yellowish flame, check its combustion system. Besides, you should check if there are shrubs, leaves, dust, dirt and pet hair in the thermostats, condenser unit fins and grills of the HVAC.
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.
First get to the roof to inspect it in different aspects. See whether there are missing or broken shingles and if the flashing has cracked caulk and rust spots. Check if the shingles are curling, blistering and buckling. You could also check if the rubber boots of the vent pipes have cracks. The presence of moss and lichen masses on the rooftop shows the roof is decaying from the underneath, and quick repair is crucial.
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.
Another important sign of water leakage you should inspect is mold growth in the basement. Molds are easy to identify because of their disgusting odor and awful look. Molds are fond of growing in the dampest and darkest areas in the house. If they are not identified and controlled in good time, they deteriorate the beauty and value of the house on sale and pose health problems to the occupants.
Make sure the air conditioners in the new house are working properly and are in good condition. If the former occupant did not take good care of the air conditioners, their ductwork would be defective. Most air conditioners become defective as a result of torn flex ducts, metal dents, peeling duct tape, loose seam fittings and dirt streaks. If the air conditioning unit shows flickering orange or yellowish flame, check its combustion system. Besides, you should check if there are shrubs, leaves, dust, dirt and pet hair in the thermostats, condenser unit fins and grills of the HVAC.
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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