What Should Be Inspected Before Buying A Home?

If you are considering buying a new home, it is very important to have the home inspected before you make the purchase. This can prevent a lot of stress that could otherwise occur if you begin finding problems with the home after you have paid for it. Professional home inspectors know exactly what areas of a home should be thoroughly examined to ensure you will not have expensive repairs to make once you have moved in. These are the areas of a home that inspectors commonly check.

Roofing, Attics and Exterior 

The roofing of a home is one of the most important areas that should be inspected. This is because repairs that may need to be done could be very expensive. The inspector will need to check the stability of the roof and ensure there are no loose pieces that may lead to leaks. Any existing chimney, gutters, downspouts, vents or skylights will also be inspected.

If the home has an attic, this area will be examined closely. The inspector will make sure the attic has proper insulation and ventilation and that the crawl space is safe and secure. Other exterior components, such as windows and doors, will be checked to see that they open, close and seal tightly so that there are no leaks around them.

Structure

The structure of the home is another very important area to have inspected. If there is any damage to the frame, foundation or support beams, this could lead to some major repairs to make the home safe enough to live in. The home inspector will find any problems in the structure so these problems can be avoided.

Plumbing 

The plumbing in a home should also be inspected thoroughly. The inspector will look for broken pipes, leaks, improper drainage and any other problems that maybe hazardous or inconvenient. The water pressure and shut off valves will also be checked to ensure everything is functioning properly.

Wiring and Breakers 

The wiring and breakers in a home must be inspected. Frayed wires or breakers that are not the proper size can present a dangerous fire hazard. This area of the home will most likely be inspected by a licensed electrical inspector who will know exactly if and what changes need to be made.

Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Systems 

Having the heating, cooling and ventilation system inspected ensures your home can be heated and cooled properly in the most energy efficient way. The inspector will check the main units, vents, ductwork, pumps and thermostat controls to make sure everything is installed correctly and will keep your home at a comfortable temperature all year long.

If the home comes equipped with major appliances, the inspector can also check these to make sure they are working properly. This will give you an idea of which appliances you can keep and which ones will need to be replaced.

Contact a business like Home Inspection Associate for more information on the home inspection process.