Things Should to know before You Doing Home Inspection

If you are going through home inspection training, they are going to teach you a number of things about the process, such as what you are legally obligated to report, where to start the inspection and the most common types of problems that people find when doing this job. They are going to show you what to look for. This does not mean that you just want to check these things off of the list and not look for anything else, as any home could have a unique issue, but these things are a good place to start.

A Leaking Roof

You can tell if a roof is going bad just by looking at it from the street. If there are shingles missing and dark patches on the roof, there could be a problem. You can also go inside and look for places where water has clearly been getting through. The drywall might be discolored, for example, or there may be cracks in the plaster. In extreme situations, whole sections of the ceiling could have collapsed.

A Cracked Foundation

You also need to look at the foundation to make sure that it is not cracked, which could make the home structurally unsound. The most obvious evidence will simply be a visible crack that runs all the way across the concrete slab. Sometimes, though, people have put down tile or carpet that could cover the slab. You could take up a section if you think that there is an issue, or you could look for damage in the walls that could come from the house settling poorly, a result of a broken foundation.

Locks on the Windows

People will often take the locks off of their windows so that they are easier to open and close, so this is the next thing to look for. You want to make sure that all of the windows still have locks on them, making the home safe. If any have been removed, they need to be replaced before the home is purchased.

A Radon Leak

You may also want to check and see if radon is leaking into the house. This is a very dangerous element that often gets trapped in the basement; it has been linked to diseases like cancer. A simple test can be run to determine if there is radon in the home. If there is, a vent will have to be created to let it escape and dissipate in the air, after which it will no longer be dangerous.

Checking Everything

As mentioned, these are just good places to start. You have to keep your eyes open during the inspection, checking everything out, to make sure that nothing is missed.