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.
Examine the condition and performance of the air conditioners in the house. Poorly maintained air conditioners have faulty ductwork due to metal dents, torn or collapsed flex ducts, dirt streaks, loose seam fittings and peeling duct tape. Any air conditioner with a yellow or orange flickering flame indicates combustion problems. Find out if there are pet hair, dirt, dust, leaves, shrubs and other contaminants in the HVAC registers, grills, condenser unit fins and thermostats.
The house could look beautiful from far, but the electrical systems inside are disastrous. If the fuse box or breaker panel is sparking or producing a disgusting odor, call in a competent electrician to identify the electrical malfunction. Ensure all the hot switch plates and naked electrical wires are properly coated to minimize hazards. Ask the seller to replace the hot plugs, black switches, blown fuses, tripped breakers and the sockets fitted into the skirting boards.
Walk into different rooms and assess the condition of the plumbing system. This helps you to identify plumbing problems such as reduced water pressured in the kitchen sinks as a result of the accumulation of calcium deposits. You could also find that the tubs and sinks have slow drainage especially if they are clogged. Inspect if the toilet is clogged or running and if the faucets are leaking.
Occupying a new residential house with properly maintained systems will save you expensive replacements and repair work. Thorough house inspection ensures that your family members are not exposed to dreadful electrical shocks and electrocution. Moreover, you will avoid health complications that damp and leaky basements cause to those living there.
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.
Examine the condition and performance of the air conditioners in the house. Poorly maintained air conditioners have faulty ductwork due to metal dents, torn or collapsed flex ducts, dirt streaks, loose seam fittings and peeling duct tape. Any air conditioner with a yellow or orange flickering flame indicates combustion problems. Find out if there are pet hair, dirt, dust, leaves, shrubs and other contaminants in the HVAC registers, grills, condenser unit fins and thermostats.
The house could look beautiful from far, but the electrical systems inside are disastrous. If the fuse box or breaker panel is sparking or producing a disgusting odor, call in a competent electrician to identify the electrical malfunction. Ensure all the hot switch plates and naked electrical wires are properly coated to minimize hazards. Ask the seller to replace the hot plugs, black switches, blown fuses, tripped breakers and the sockets fitted into the skirting boards.
Walk into different rooms and assess the condition of the plumbing system. This helps you to identify plumbing problems such as reduced water pressured in the kitchen sinks as a result of the accumulation of calcium deposits. You could also find that the tubs and sinks have slow drainage especially if they are clogged. Inspect if the toilet is clogged or running and if the faucets are leaking.
Occupying a new residential house with properly maintained systems will save you expensive replacements and repair work. Thorough house inspection ensures that your family members are not exposed to dreadful electrical shocks and electrocution. Moreover, you will avoid health complications that damp and leaky basements cause to those living there.
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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.