Home Inspection Nightmares You Don't Want To Face

What you don’t want to have after buying a new home are problems, especially those that are going to cost you a lot of money, in addition to what you already spent on the house. One of the best ways to avoid such problems is to do a pre-purchase home inspection in Sydney or elsewhere, before you make the final decision on your purchase. These home inspections can give you a lot of negotiating power, if you are really interested in the property, so that the seller or contractor is liable to rectify all damages and defects before you pay any money for it, or even to reduce on the price quite substantially because you will definitely have to spend additionally on repairs and replacements. Either way, it is a win-win situation for the buyer, and thereby the small investment required to get a home or building inspection in Sydney is well worth it.

These inspections are carried out by professionally qualified inspectors who have a number of years of experience under their belt, and they are able to notice things that we will definitely not see. In certain instances, carrying out such home or building inspections can bring about actual nightmares for both the seller and the buyer, as well as the inspector, because some of the homes that have been put up for sale are in appalling conditions where it may even be dangerous for those living in it.

Here is a list of some of the common home inspection nightmares that inspectors have found:

• Foundation problems – Problems with a home’s foundation and grading issues, when the grading may be sloped the wrong way, can cause a lot of problems, such as water seeping in and having uneven gaps in doors and windows. The foundation supports the entire structure of the house, hence any problems with the foundation means there will be structural issues. If the floors are sloping or the concrete is cracking then there are sure to be problems with the foundation, and you should stay clear of such a house.

• Water or plumbing issues – Problems with water can be many and a total nightmare for home owners. Stagnant water in the basement, moisture on the ceiling or walls etc can mean defects in the foundation, roofing system or plumbing system, and these can be very expensive to repair.

• Pests – Some pests, like termites and other timber pests can be undetectable and may exist in a home for a number of years before any signs of damage are visible. They can cause damage to the structure of the house, as well as other timber laden areas such as decks, patios and even furniture. Replacing structural timber that has been damaged by timber pests can be very heavy on the pocket, and not something that you would want to spend you hard earned money on. Other pest infestations can include rodents and bugs.

• Electrical wiring – Faulty electrical wiring can most often cause fires, and can be very dangerous for those living in the house. Inspectors are not allowed to physically open up walls etc during a home inspection in Sydney in order to check wiring, but they can inspect panel boards etc and have these replaced if they find a fault with them. Electrical issues can also cause a lot of expenses if they need to be replaced, and this is not an expense that you want to face soon after buying your new home.

• Roof problems – While roof problems themselves may not be cause for alarm, structural issues caused by poorly ventilated roofing etc can be a dangerous hazard. If such issues turn up in the inspection report, then it is best to negotiate with the seller and get them to carry out the repairs, since it may need extensive replacements and could be very expensive.

• Mould and mildew – Mould and mildew can be a huge problem for those with allergy issues or respiratory problems, and may be caused by poorly ventilated roofing or improper attic insulation. Mould may also be an indication of other problems such as foundation issues or plumbing problems, and should be addressed immediately.

• Septic problems – Issues with the home’s septic system can be very expensive because they would need to dig up your yard or garden in order to rectify these issues. If there are any indications of such problems, it is best to avoid such a home.

These are only some of the problems that may be found during a home or building inspection in Sydney, which can cause nightmares for a new home buyer. However, there are many more issues that you may not even think of that an inspector can find during such an inspection, which is why getting an inspection done before you make your purchase is so important.