Home Inspection Kirkland: Common Issues Found in Residential Properties

It’s one of the largest financial decisions an individual makes in their lifetime, and for many, it is not an easy decision to make. Understanding the condition of the property is imperative whether you are buying your first home, or you are buying your next. A Home Inspection Kirkland business can help by locating potential problems a home may have and offer suggestions based upon their training to solve safety issues.

Every home has issues; it’s just a matter of what kind of issues, and how big of an issue. Some issues are easily noticeable, but there can be hidden issues behind walls or underneath floors.

During a home inspection, there are several things an inspector may look for that may or may not be issues for the average individual. Some issues may simply be maintenance issues.

It is suggested that a home be inspected, even if it is just a casual look, before a purchase is made. People may try to hide issues by covering them up with a new coat of paint, or by renovating a kitchen. Some of these issues can be found by evaluating a home’s systems. Home inspections can help find and identify these systems and issues.

Home inspections can be a great tool for homeowners in selling their house by letting them know what issues exist with their home and what they can do to address these issues to increase the value of their home. It can also be beneficial to homeowners in knowing potential issues that could arise with their home before they become a large expense to the homeowner.

What We Found During Home Inspections

1.Cracks in Foundations and Other Concerns

The foundation is what supports the entire house, therefore it is critical to assess this area during a home inspection.

 There are signs that can indicate potential foundation issues. If the floor is sagging or if there is a door or window that sticks, foundation issues could potentially be the cause.

Just having cracks in a foundation does not always mean there is a large issue. If a crack is wide or if there is a horizontal crack, this means there is a cause for concern.

Maintaining proper drainage around the house can help relieve some foundation issues.

It is important for the homeowner to understand the difference between just a minor, minor cosmetic issue and something that could potentially be a large, large issue during the home inspection.

2.Water Damage and Leaks

The roof can help protect the house from various weather conditions, but as with other elements of the house, it can also suffer from decay and deterioration.

Roof deterioration can be seen in:

Missing or broken shingles

Deteriorated flashing around chimneys and vents

Clogged gutters and downspouts

Water damage in the attic

Poor roof drainage

Water leaks are also seen by the presence of water stains on the walls and ceiling. A roof may look good from the ground, but there may be issues with moisture that is affecting insulation or other hidden areas of the house.

During a home inspection, issues such as these may be identified, and the client referred to a roofing contractor for further evaluation.

3.ELECTRICAL ISSUES

Electrical issues are some of the more concerning issues that we find during home inspections. It’s only natural to be worried about possible safety issues with the home’s electricity.

Older homes may contain numerous safety issues with the home’s electrical system, including modified circuits, damaged components and aged and deteriorated wiring. This may include circuits that are overloaded, and lack their protective covering. Many safety issues are present with the home’s electrical system. However, some issues may require the services of a licensed electrician for further analysis and/or correction.

Some of the more common issues that are present in a home’s system may include flickering lights and frequently tripped circuits. Warm outlets are also an issue and may indicate an electric shock hazard.

An electrical inspection may only identify some issues present with the home’s electrical system. A more thorough and complete assessment will require the services of a licensed electrician.

4. Plumbing

Plumbing issues are difficult to identify and may lead to other problems such as mold.

Issues relating to plumbing are usually apparent to an inspector as they look at the visible plumbing components in the house. These include faucets, drains, supply lines and pipes.

Plumbing issues may include leaks, corrosion and lack of seals. Water staining and issues with water pressure may also indicate an issue with the plumbing.

In older homes, the materials used for plumbing may lead to issues with plumbing.

Our home inspections can help determine visible issues with the plumbing of the home.

5. Insulation and Ventilation

Insulation and ventilation have a significant effect on the comfort of occupants of a home as well as its energy usage.

If insulation is compressed, it loses its ability to insulate. If there are insufficient ventilation issues in the attic, for example, it may lead to moisture build-up.

Inspectors will look at the attic insulation and other accessible insulation and ventilation. Other issues may include an inadequate exhaust in the bathroom, which may also lead to mold. Condensation may also indicate issues with mold.

Adding or improving insulation and ventilation may improve comfort level and help reduce risk of moisture-related problems.

How Moisture and Mold Can Affect Residential Properties

Moisture is a prevalent issue in homes as it affects many different elements of a house.

Moisture of any kind (condensation, moisture intrusion, etc.) can be a contributing factor to mold growth. Mold can be found in many different areas of a structure (i.e. bathrooms, basements, attics, etc.).

During an inspection, professionals look for signs of visible mold and other signs of water/moisture damage.

A standard home inspection may not identify all of the hidden mold issues. If mold is suspected, then additional testing may be warranted.

The use of thermal imaging may also help identify moisture related issues. Remember, thermal imaging alone will not always confirm the presence of moisture or mold.

The Purpose of Thermal Imaging During Home Inspections

A standard home inspection provides the home buyer a lot of valuable information. However, there are issues that cannot be identified without additional testing.

Infrared (or thermal) imaging uses technology that is beyond the normal range of the human sense.

During a standard home inspection, a home inspector may be able to identify the following issues with the use of thermal imaging:

Air leakage around doors and windows

Unusual temperature differences in walls and ceilings

Possible overheating of electrical components

Temperature patterns related to moisture

Additional information about thermal imaging can be found at Thermo Elite Inc.

When thermal imaging is used during a home inspection, it is used as a diagnostic tool and should not replace a complete home inspection. Other testing may be required to identify the true cause of an issue.

Preparing for a Home Inspection in Kirkland

There are many things homeowners and prospective buyers can do to prepare a property for inspection that will streamline the home inspection process.

To begin, an unobstructed path to the attic, electrical panel, and other utilities located in unfinished or hard to reach spaces will allow the home inspector to do his job more easily.

In the case of selling your home, you may consider having minor maintenance and repair issues resolved, such as replacing worn weather stripping or leaking faucet washers, or cleaning out gutters.

These may help the home inspector to provide a better report.

Also, gathering any maintenance and repair, or renovation documents and pictures are a good idea.

As a buyer, you are encouraged to be at the inspection so you have the opportunity to gather the information you need to aid in the evaluation of the home's condition.

Inspection reports can be a great resource to help understand the scope and nature of repairs and maintenance needed for a property.

Help Make the Right Choices with Home Inspections in Kirkland

Different residences are unique due to differences in maintenance, construction and repair history. Some issues require more immediate attention, others not so much.

A Home Inspection in Kirkland helps buyers and owners recognize these differences when important decisions have to be made regarding a property.

All homes have latent issues including construction defects, moisture and leaks, pests, electrical and plumbing issues, insulation and other issues. If these problems are resolved, it can provide the homeowner with peace of mind.

A home inspection in conjunction with services like infrared thermography, can help the homeowner assess what's needed to create a safe and healthy living environment for their family.