Telling Signs, You Shouldn’t Ignore When Inspecting a House

Inspecting a house is a critical step when buying it. If you don’t inspect the home, you might wind up with significant problems that will cost a lot of money to fix. Unfortunately, many homeowners make the mistake of thinking they can find anything wrong during the inspection process, but this isn’t true. If you don’t know what to look for, there are some warning signs that you could miss. Get to know the four of the most important things homeowners should inspect during an inspection.

Mold Formation

Mold is a fungus that can grow in damp areas or places with high humidity. It will continue to spread if left untreated, causing allergies and other respiratory issues. If you see any signs of it during the house inspection process, contact a professional right away for testing and damp treatment before moving forward.

It usually starts as a small spot that you can easily clean. However, it is one of the first signs of major water damage behind walls and in other areas not visible at first glance. You may also notice black or brown spots on white walls. This is a sign of mold growing in the wall cavities, which may indicate water damage or high humidity. Keep an eye out for signs of moisture near window seals and doors since these are prime locations for mold to grow.

Damaged Gutters

Gutters are the way that water drains off of your roof. There should be a system to catch all this rainwater and guide it out through pipes into the ground. Unfortunately, gutters get clogged sometimes by leaves, rocks, twigs, or other debris, which can lead to backups or overflows. Since rainwater is pretty dirty, this could contaminate the rest of your water supply.

Damaged gutters can also signify that there are other problems elsewhere on the roof since they act as support structures. Thus, if one thing goes wrong with them, it might mean that the roof is in bad shape overall.

Therefore, it’s always good to inspect the roof for any other signs of damage or defects after noticing problems with gutters. Then, you’ll be able to improve your home’s exterior long before it worsens.

Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes are a sign that something is wrong with the plumbing system, and they can also cause mold growth if not fixed immediately. If you see any type of water damage on your home or structure during an inspection, you should address it immediately.

Malfunctioning HVAC System

The number one telltale sign you shouldn’t ignore when inspecting a house is the HVAC system. In many homes, this unit starts to show wear and tear after about 13 years of usage. Worn out or corroded coils can lead to lower energy efficiency levels in your home, which means higher heating bills for you.

Also, if you notice an abundance of dirt around the outside unit or inside air vents for your heating and cooling system, this may be another indicator it’s time to replace. Remember that HVAC systems are expensive repair jobs, so definitely keep track of when yours.

Conclusion

There are many great reasons to buy a house. However, if you’re not careful about it, some bad ones can end up being more of a headache than an asset. As with anything in life, it’s essential to be cautious when inspecting houses for purchase or sale. If you suspect the home you’re looking at may not be as it seems, don’t be afraid to look deeper.