When purchasing a house, a professional home inspection can be a game-changer when it comes to making important decisions. They can help you find common and hard to see issues to avoid costly repairs down the road. 

The process of buying a home can be extremely daunting and you may encounter a variety of unexpected hurdles. Making sure that a property is meticulously inspected by a professional home inspector is one effective way to ensure that you’re making a sound investment. Professional home inspection companies like AA Home Inspections are trained to identify various issues that may be latent in a home. However, it may help to become acquainted with several problems that are more common than others.

Here are eight common home inspection issues identified during professional home inspections:

1. Roof damage
2. Plumbing problems
3. Electrical issues
4. Mold and mildew
5. Water damage
6. Foundation problems
7. Heating and cooling issues
8. Pest infestation

In order to identify any of these issues, a thorough home inspection is highly recommended. Usually, the corresponding solutions include repairs or replacements. Although not all of these issues are deal breakers, they can equip you with a better understanding of the property’s overall condition. This article covers the eight most common issues identified during AA Home Inspections.

 If you are currently on the market to buy a home, make sure you don’t arrive at a decision before conducting a home inspection. In fact, for any prospective home buyer, a professional home inspection is a great way to identify any potential problems and to understand what exactly they are getting into.

1. Roof damage

One of the most common issues identified during home inspections is roof damage. There are several factors that can contribute to this issue, including age, weather, and poor maintenance. Roof damage often snowballs into other bigger issues, such as leaks. As such, it’s important to fix this issue as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, in certain cases, inspecting a roof may be easier said than done. For instance, steep roofs can be a missed opportunity for many home inspectors to find potential problems, as they can be dangerous to access, let alone inspect. AA Home Inspectors utilize drone technology to obtain an unobstructed view of typically inaccessible areas, resolving this seemingly challenging hurdle. 

2. Plumbing problems

Let’s all admit it – plumbing problems can be a pain to navigate. While it may seem tempting to ignore them, they will only deteriorate over time. This is why it’s very important to fix plumbing issues as soon as they are identified. These can range from leaks to clogged drains and everything in between. When a home undergoes inspection, it’s highly important for inspectors to thoroughly check all the plumbing to make sure unexpected issues do not emerge in the future. 

 While discussing plumbing issues, it is also necessary to point out that certain problems, like a clogged toilet or a leaky sink, are easy to spot, while a few others are silent killers. For instance, certain larger, more serious issues like drainage or slow leaks can often go undetected until they become a bigger problem.

 Another common issue that is often identified during professional home inspections is outdated plumbing. Old pipes can accumulate rust and become brittle, leading to leaks and other problems. If you haven’t changed your plumbing in years, it may be time to get it checked by a professional to ensure that it’s legal, compliant with regulations, and in good working condition.

 For instance, Polyethylene (PE) pipes are only permitted for household use in the United States when it comes to water pressure tanks and main water turn-off valves, whereas polybutylene (PB) pipes are prohibited for household usage across the US, since August 2010.

3. Electrical issues

Home inspectors are also invaluable in mitigating major hazards associated with electrical issues. According to a 2017 National Fire Protection Agency study, electrical distribution, lighting, and power transfer equipment were involved in 57 percent of home structure fires between 2010 and 2014.

Some common electrical problems that your home inspector may find are:

• Exposed wiring
• Faulty or Painted outlets
• Overloaded circuits
• Improperly modified electrical panels
• Outdated wirings like knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring

 In particular, poorly installed or outdated electrical wiring can pose serious fire hazards. Thus, it is pertinent to address such electrical problems as soon as possible. Please note that, in the United States, all electrical work must adhere to National Electric Code (NEC), which has been revised 17 times since 1975.

Thus, very old or ancient houses might be equipped with electrical systems that no longer meet the NEC’s current standards. This is another reason why opting for a professional home inspection before making a purchase is crucial.

4. Mold and mildew

We all know that mold and mildew can cause a variety of health problems and moisture-prone areas are highly conducive for their growth. As such, they are most commonly found in the bathroom, kitchen, or basement. To check for mold, an inspector will come and collect samples, which is a vital step when determining its presence (or absence, if you are lucky).

 To check for mold spores, air samples are tested by using a pump that goes into a collection device to catch spores, which are then subjected to a thorough lab analysis.

 The severity of the issue is also determined through these results. Once remediation efforts are completed, the inspector collect samples again to confirm the removal of all traces of mold.

 Mold and mildew can cause respiratory problems, allergies, and skin irritation, so it’s important to have any affected areas cleaned and repaired. Even if your home is free from these pesky issues, a professional home inspector will be able to identify any areas susceptible to mold and mildew and ensure that they are properly cleaned and repaired.

5. Water damage

Water damage is one of the most common problems detected during home inspections, and it can be caused by various things, from leaks to floods. Water damage can lead to a variety of other problems, like mold and mildew, so it must be addressed in a timely manner.

Professional home inspectors check for visible signs of water damage by looking for: 

• Stains on ceilings or walls
• Warping
• Odors
• Peeling or cracked paint, or
• Evidence of mold or mildew