Everybody aspires to live in the house of their dreams at some point or the other. While the prospect of owning a home seems exciting, yet it is overwhelming at the same time. Finding the perfect property is the first step in this long, challenging process. And before you think about moving in, home inspection needs to be done to ensure the house is in optimum condition.
A pre-purchase inspection is a process of examining a home before it’s bought by a buyer. It is conducted by trained, qualified, and certified professionals from highly reputable inspection companies.
That said, if you are planning to buy a home, you too must also employ the services of a home inspector. But before you call in the inspectors with big guns, make sure you are aware of the process so that you know what to look out for at the time of the inspection.
On that note, let’s look at some of the things that need extra attention during a home inspection.
Septic Tank and Drainage System
A septic tank is an underground chamber made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic through which domestic wastewater flows for basic treatment. It must be regularly pumped and emptied to keep the onsite water system running longer and protect water quality. Septic tank inspection is a difficult task and is usually done by trained septic system repair inspectors and contractors. If it isn’t maintained properly, it can lead to an overflowing septic tank or clogged drainage, which means homeowners will have to spend a fortune in getting a new system installed. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the septic tank in their new home is in optimal condition.
NOTE: Some home inspection companies include septic system inspection in water quality testing in Maine.
HVAC system
The HVAC system includes your home’s heating, cooling, ventilating, and air conditioning mechanism, along with the thermostat. The temperature of your home should be perfectly maintained to keep you and your family comfortable at all times. That is why you should ensure that the HVAC system is completely functional.
Walls, Roof, and Flooring
The most basic parts of a house are its floor, walls, and roof. These protect us and shelter us from the outside environment. Imagine moving into your new home, only to find a leaking roof and cracks in the foundation within the first few months. Such a situation can make your happiness shortlived, cost you a lot of money and make living life in the new home inconvenient for you. So it’s better to be prepared in advance and confirm beforehand that the walls, roofs, and flooring are intact and durable.
Exhaust fans and Chimneys
One of the recurring problems faced by homeowners is the issue of defective exhaust fans and clogged chimneys. Chimneys and exhaust fans serve an extremely important purpose – to ensure that no smoke is trapped inside the house. That is why you should be careful and check if they are working properly.
NOTE: Make sure you ask the home inspector of their condition so that you know when to replace them.
Electric Wirings and Connections
The electric system is the most important part of your home. It powers up all the appliances in the home. At the same time, it can also deliver a powerful shock to the human body, which can be fatal. So for personal safety, it’s very essential to monitor all electric connections in a house. There shouldn’t be any faulty connections or exposed wires. The fuses and short circuit mechanisms should be perfectly functional. Also, insulation and electrical earthing must be done properly where required.
Final Thoughts
Most homeowners leave the inspection process totally in the hands of home inspectors. They definitely are trained to do what they do, but it’s you who will live in the home. So, you should actively participate during the inspection day, and interact with the inspector to ensure you understand the condition of the house you are going to buy, and the inspection is conducted following all necessary guidelines.
To get the most value of the home inspection, make sure you invest in a reliable home inspection company. Search the web for the best home inspection companies in your area, shortlist the ones with best reviews, interview a few of them, and employ the one that covers a lot of areas within the inspection. Most property inspection companies offer relocation home inspections, pest inspections, radon testing, septic system inspections, construction draw inspections, well inspections, and a wide range of other services. So, make sure you check their website and select the home inspection company that provides quality services at affordable prices.
