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In other words, for every two or three feet you step out from your property, the land should drop by two or three inches. Poor ventilation can result in a lot more work for your HVAC system to keep your home cool and comfortable. For example, if the entire home needs to be re-wired, it can cost up to $30,000+. Improper modification of electrical panels - This issue can cause intermittent flickering of lights or your switches and outlets not working correctly. Aluminum wiring - Aluminum was considered more cost-effective than copper wiring in the late ’60s and early ’70s, but it can contribute to the potential for a fire in your home. Overall condition of the roof sheathing - Particularly in areas around chimneys or other roof penetrations and valleys of the roof.
Foundation Type - Homes built with dirt floors in basements or crawl spaces have nothing to protect against the rise of radon from the soil. If present, repairing wood rot can cost an individual upwards of $20,000. If they think that there may be a more significant issue outside of their realm of expertise, they will likely recommend a professional plumbing inspection. However, rest easy knowing that most of the plumbing issues found during a home inspection are minor. Your HVAC system uses almost half of the energy in your home. It works hard every year to keep your home climate-controlled.
Best Home Inspectors in San Antonio, TX
For example, gutter downspouts should carry water 10 feet or more away from the home, according to NDS. A blog on GutterHelmet.com suggested the cost to drain a basement of sewage or otherwise tainted water could be as high as $25,000. The best trick is to dig a small hole, fill it with water and watch how it drains.
Unfortunately, many people do not service their HVAC systems yearly, which results in issues during the home inspection. A home inspection typically takes 2 to 4 hours and can reveal plenty of problems with a home. This article covers the 18 most common issues found during a home inspection.
How Do I Know if I Have Cast Iron Drains?
However, if you live in a hot market where homes are sold as-is, the likelihood of a seller putting any capital towards fixes is very slim. These are all prime signs that your windows are not sealing correctly. Therefore, it is recommended that you replace the seals in your windows every five years. Deck flashings - Flashing needs to be installed between the deck ledger board and the house, and the ledger needs to be firmly attached.
Home inspectors provide a visual inspection of the home’s structure, looking for structural issues. Home inspectors document structural problems and recommend an examination by a licensed contractor or structural engineer. A home inspection examines the parts and systems that make up a home, from the roof to the foundation. Inspections are often requested by buyers interested in a property, sellers who opt to do a pre-sale home inspection and homeowners who want some peace of mind. Inspections are not mandatory but recommended for buyers to ensure they’re not purchasing a home with major, costly issues. Water is the number one enemy in home inspections, home inspector Rick Yerger told HGTV.com.
What are the Solutions to Cast Iron Drains?
Sometimes we find that they squeeze in at joints and quickly grow, breaking the fitting and loving all the moisture in the pipe. In a short time, they not only block the pipe but completely fill it requiring removal of the pipe or a root cutting service to come in and mechanically clean the pipe out. Occasionally we find perforated pipe used in shallow situations or near trees. This allows grass roots or tree roots to quickly find the source of moisture and invade the pipe. After you clean the pipe of roots – be sure that perforated pipe is wrapped in filter fabric when close to roots and glue the joints to keep roots from finding a way into the pipe.
When settlement occurs in older homes, contractors will commonly resist jacking the floor structure to an even level because doing so can cause more damage than good. They opt to stabilize the structure to resist further movement. Routinely, we find notched floor joists or just completely cut out to make room for the piping. HVAC contractors are bad about cutting things like engineered trusses to install heating systems and ductwork.
Downspouts
This is especially important in older homes, as these types of issues can often go unnoticed and can lead to serious problems down the line. It’s no secret that our homes are often the source of many of our biggest headaches. Whether it’s broken pipes, blocked drains, or simply an area of the house that needs a bit of TLC, we often find ourselves searching in the dark for a solution. But what if there was a way to quickly and accurately identify the issue and get it fixed? I agree, too many things point to one over-arching picture of poor drainage causing significant foundation issues. ALicensed Professional Home Inspectorwill look at your gutters, downspouts, hot water heater, etc.
Radon typically moves up through the ground and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon is found in homes all over the country but concentrations are typically low enough to not to be a health concern. At Horizon Landscape, the biggest drainage issue we see is gutters that are overflowing. Sometimes, a tennis ball will be thrown up in the air and onto the roof -and plop! This will then create a cover over the leader drain so the gutter overflows. We’ve seen everything from dead squirrels to bird nests to sticks, leaves and debris piling up and blocking the downspout.
In addition, symptoms can take years to present themselves, so it’s essential to consider a radon test during the inspection. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs when uranium in soil breaks down. Radon gas is released as a byproduct of that breakdown and can cause many health problems such as lung cancer. Keep in mind that inspectors are not experts on these appliances. Therefore, they will not be able to fix them themselves if an issue is noted.
Home inspections for buyers who wish to ensure that they aren’t buying a house that will need a considerable outlay for repairs to its structure shortly. The roof is one of the biggest deal-breakers when it comes to buying a new property. It’s what protects the house from the elements, keeps moisture at bay, and provides insulation during the winter months. If the roof is inadequate and needs replacing, more often than not, it’s not going to be cost-effective for the buyer to repair it. Typically, when home inspectors arrive at the property, they will survey the land to determine the topography. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.
Damaging and costly water damage to the structure causes foundation problems, rot and “the dreaded mold,” according to HGTV.com. From broken pipes to blocked drains, a technician can pinpoint the exact problem and provide a solution. It can also help to identify any potential problems before they become an issue. This is especially helpful in older homes, where it can be difficult to identify any potential issues without a thorough inspection.
Over 95% of water penetration problems arise due to surface water not being appropriately managed, resulting from a negative gradient. It’s important to note that while some home inspectors are also licensed contractors or structural engineers, most are not. A home inspection is subjective and observes the building’s structure based on the inspector’s knowledge and experience. Home inspections are important for home buyers and sellers. A bad report could break a deal and leave homeowners with big repair costs. If you notice your drains are backing up, it may not be a crushed or broken pipe but roots that have invaded the pipe.
Trenchless Pipe Repair
They will also see signs of roof sagging, spreading, and twisting of the rafters. Musty odors - This problem can be an indication of mold buildup, often caused by leaks. Clear out the gutters – Give your roof a good clean down and remove any debris that is up there. Take some time to clean the gutters and make sure that they are functioning how they should be. If part of a floor joist is removed, good building practice is to double the joist on either side and add a double joist between the two to carry the load of the altered joist.
Most of the time, the uneven walls are accompanied by wall cracking, indicating potential structural issues in the home. Inspect for cracks in exterior walls and a home’s foundation. Drainage problems related to roof runoff can flow into basements or invade a home’s foundation through cracks and leaks. Warped floor boards and potential electrical problems are only the beginning of what can result in unhealthy amounts of mold and mildew, and un-welcomed insects and rodents. Finally, a CCTV inspection is a great way to help maintain the health of your home’s plumbing and drainage system.
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