Report 2

11

things

you

need

to

know

to

pass

your

home

inspection

Homebuyers want to know your home inside-out... “According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale.” While homebuyers are as individual as the homes they plan on purchasing, one thing they share is a desire to ensure that the home they will call their own is as good beneath the surface as it appears to be. Will the roof end up leaking? Is the wiring safe? What about the plumbing? These, and others, are the questions that the buyers looking at your home will seek professional help to answer. According to industry experts, there are at least 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection. We’ve identified the 11 most common of these and, if not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre- inspection yourself if you know what you’re looking for. And knowing what you’re looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and expensive repairs. When you put your home on the market, you don’t want any unpleasant surprises that could cost you the sale of your home. By taking an understanding of these 11 problem areas with you as you walk through your home, you’ll be arming yourself against future disappointment.

1. Defective plumbing.

Defective plumbing can manifest itself in two different ways: leaking and clogging. A visual inspection can detect leaking, and an inspector will gauge water pressure by turning on all faucets in the higher bathroom(s) and then flushing the toilet. If you hear the sound of running water, it indicates that the pipes are undersized. If the water appears dirty when first turned on at the faucet, this is a good indication that the pipes are rusting, which can result in several water quality problems.

2. Damp or wet basement.

An inspector will check your walls for a powdery white mineral deposit a few inches off the floor, and will look to see if you feel secure enough to store things right on your basement floor. A mildew odour is almost impossible to eliminate, and an inspector will certainly be conscious of it. It could cost you $300.00 -- $1000. To seal a crack in or around your basement foundation depending on severity and location. Adding a sump pump and pit will run you around $1,000, and complete waterproofing (of an average 3- bedroom home) could amount to $8,000 -- $15,000. You will have to weigh these figures into the calculation of what price you want to net on your home.

3. Inadequate wiring and electrical.

Your home should have a minimum of 100 amp service, and this should be clearly marked. Wire should be cooper or aluminum or knob and tube. Home inspectors will look at octopus plugs as indicative of inadequate circuits and a potential fire hazard.

4. Poor heating and cooling systems.

Insufficient insulation, and an inadequate or poorly functioning heating system, are the most common causes of poor heating. While an adequately clean furnace, without rust on the heat exchanger, usually has life left in it, an inspector will be asking and checking to see if your furnace is over its typical life span of 15 -- 25 years. For a forced air gas system, a heat exchanger will come under particular scrutiny since one that is cracked can emit deadly carbon monoxide into the home. These heat exchangers must be replaced if damaged -- they cannot be repaired.

5. Roofing problems.

Water leakage through the roof can occur for a variety of reasons such as physical deterioration of the asphalt shingles (e.g. curling or splitting), or mechanical damage from a windstorm. When gutters leak and down spouts allow water to run down and through the exterior walls, this external problem becomes a major internal one.

6. Damp attic spaces.

Aside from basement dampness, problems with ventilation, insulation and vapour barriers can cause water, moisture, mould and mildew to form in the attic. This can lead to premature wear of the roof, structure and building materials. The cost to fix this damage could easily run over $2,500.

7. Rotting wood.

This can occur in many places (door or window frames, trim, and siding, decks and fences). The building inspector will sometimes probe the wood to see if this is present – especially when wood has been freshly painted.

8. Masonry work.

Re-bricking can be costly, but, left unattended, these repairs can cause problems with water and moisture penetration into the home which in turn could lead to a chimney being clogged by fallen bricks or even a chimney which falls onto the roof. The cost to rebuild a 5 foot chimney is approximately $500. To re-point a 5 x 10’ area would run around $250.00.

9. Unsafe or over fused electrical circuit.

A fire hazard is created when more amperage is drawn on the circuit than was intended. 15 amp circuits are the most common in a typical home, with larger service for large appliances such as stoves and dryers. It will cost you about $600 to replace your fuse panel with a circuit panel.

10. Adequate security features.

More than a purchased security system, an inspector will look for the basic safety features that will protect your home such as proper locks on windows and patio doors, dead bolts on the doors, and smoke detectors in every bedroom and on every level. To install a Carbon Monoxide Detector would run around $200. You’d need to invest about $150 to install 2 deadbolts and a further $150 to install 3-5 smoke detectors.

11. Structural and foundation problems.

An inspector will certainly investigate the underlying footing of your home, as structural integrity is fundamental to a good home. It would cost you about $300 to add a new footing and install a post, and around $1,000 to replace a 40 ft. beam.