Home Inspector Shakopee | Home Inspection 952-456-4810
When it comes to buying (or selling) a home, the most important step is a thorough home inspection. Home inspectors will help to find the things you may not have noticed during your quick walk through of the space.
A home inspector can honestly be one of the best pre-home buying strategies a home buyer can use. They can alleviate any risks by making sure everything in the house is in buying condition. A home inspector can give you an honest picture of the entire building, and help you to understand where your money truly is going.
Below are the common areas the inspector will inspect:
- Plumbing- The inspector will test the drains and look at all piping. They will check pipes for any leaks, and run the faucets to see if the drains are clogged. This will also help you assess the water pressure.
- Walls, Ceiling and Flooring- The biggest thing the inspector will look for is to check for is water damage and mold. If you are seeing any water damage or even discolored spots in your walls, ceiling, or flooring, you should take that as a sign of caution. Any visible water damage could mean serious problems within the walls, and even with your insulation. If you see any damage, that would mean a hefty inspection and quite a bit of repair until that space is livable.
- Roof- Water damage and leaks could either come from something inside the house, but most likely it comes from a leaky roof. It is wise to get a inspector to make sure that nothing is leaking or extensive repairs don’t have to take place.
- Foundation- Foundation issues can cause issues with the floors, as well as the overall framework for the house. Uneven and drywall cracks could be happening because of foundation issues. If you’re also experiencing issues with doors or windows that stick or don’t latch properly, these could also be signs of foundation problems. Lastly, they will look for any bulges in foundation walls. If you plan on buying an older house, this may be a common issue that you come across.
- Basement- Along with leaky roofs and other sources for water problems, the basement can actually experience a few water problems of its own. Basement water damage can come from two sources: Indoor humidity condensing on cold surfaces, and water coming in from the outside. If it’s from the outside that means the drainage system may not be set up well for the house. If the inspector sees water damage in the basement, they will want to make sure to check where it’s coming from.
- Electrical System- Typically the inspector will check the electrical system by switching lights on and off since that seems to be the most reasonable way to check for any issues. But one thing they will particularly keep an eye out for is the electrical outlets and switches. If they look brand new, sometimes that could mean the room was recently wired. If that’s the case, they may check the outlets with a receptacle tester to make sure everything was wired correctly. If it wasn’t (like seeing problems such as reverse polarity), that could mean the homeowner tried to fix the wiring and it hasn’t been inspected yet.
- HVAC- The biggest thing the inspector can do is check the age of the furnace. A furnace’s life span is around 20-25 years, and a well-maintained furnace can last up to 30 or 40. The inspector will make sure to check the date of the furnace to see how long it’s been running by looking for stickers that document routine service.
Your home inspector will also offer ancillary services to our customers while they are there including, FLIR Thermal imaging, Garage Inspection, Home Energy Audit, Mold Inspection, Pool and Spa Inspection, Sewer Scope Inspection and Termite Inspection.
By hiring a home inspector it will help in ensuring that the house is safe and ready to buy or sell. You will be invited to be there during the home inspection to become knowledgeable on potential issues. When the inspection is complete the inspector will create a detailed report along with pictures that will be provided to you in 24 hours or less.
Home Inspector Shakopee | Home Inspection 952-456-4810