| Finding
faults
in a home doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't buy it. But it will
help you to know the type of repair costs that should be anticipated,
and sellers often will make adjustments in their asking price on the
basis of problems discovered in an inspection. Inspectors look for the
following:
Exterior
Is the house well maintained? Does the roof sag? Are the exterior walls
out of line? What is the condition of the paint, especially on the south
and west sides, where sun exposure is greatest? Is there adequate
drainage away from the house?
- Roof Are shingles curling and lifting? Find out how old the
roof is, and you will have a pretty good idea of when you will have
to replace it.
- Windows and Doors Has the glazing putty dried and shrunk,
allowing water and air seepage? Is the wood decayed? Are the window
and door frames caulked and weather-stripped?
- Brick and Concrete Check pavement, driveways and horizontal
brick surfaces for cracks. Is there damage from freezing? What is
the condition of the mortar between the bricks? Is any pavement
buckling from spreading underground tree roots?
- Insulation Check the attic and crawl space. Is the
insulation adequate and complete? Has it been properly installed?
Does the insulation obstruct the air vents, preventing the house
from "breathing" and possibly causing wood rot? Does the
home have storm windows?
Interior
The kitchen and baths are the most expensive rooms to renovate, so
check their condition carefully. A newly painted interior may look
nice, but it could be hiding something.
- Plumbing Turn on the bathroom sink faucet and shower and
then flush the toilet. When the toilet starts to refill, does the
water pressure diminish? Fill sinks and tub with three inches of
water. Do they drain properly? Do faucets leak? Lift up the
carpeting. Are there any signs of flooding or decay?
- Electrical Open the door on the fuse box or
circuit-breaker panel. Is the electrical service adequate? The
average house should have 100-amp service. Is it wired for 220
volts, which is necessary for electric dryers and ranges?
- Heating How old is the heating system? Has it been
maintained? Ask to see the owner¹s heating bills for the previous
year. This will give you an idea of its energy efficiency.
- Termites and Carpenter Ants Termites and Carpenter Ants
Look for evidence of termites and carpenter ants on basement wood
framing. Is there saw dust like wood or paper debris? Can you find
evidence of termite tubes or tunnels? Termites live in earth, so
make sure that there are no places where earth is closer than six
inches to wood. Like termites, carpenter ants like wood and wood
products.
- Water Damage Water Damage Look in the basement for signs
of leakage. This could be a result of poor drainage around the
house. Water damage also is caused by seepage through porous
basement walls and condensation, which frequently is caused by
inadequate ventilation. Basement walls painted a dark color may be
an effort to disguise a past problem.
- Beware Of Chalky white water stains on foundation walls
or partitions; stains on wood and drywall; delamination of
paneling and lifting or buckling floor tiles; or a damp, mildew
odor.
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