Home inspection checklist, what you need to know

When you’re looking into buying a home, it’s vital to ensure that you’re making a smart investment. This means having a home inspection done before you make an offer on a house. These inspections can reveal problems with a house that can affect how much it’s worth. They can also help you estimate how much you might need to spend making repairs if you buy it. Keep the following in mind when having a home inspection done.

Wood Damage

Evidence of wood damage can indicate the presence of termites in a home. Keep in mind that a routine home inspection does not include a termite inspection. Instead, you should have a separate termite inspection done in addition to a regular home inspection. Damaged wood can be located inside walls or in places that are easier to spot. Inspectors also look for other signs, such as areas of weakened wood. Having a home inspection done can also help you find out if wood damage in the home is from other insect pests, such as carpenter ants.

Cracks in Walls

Cracks in walls are sometimes a normal part of the settling process after building a home. However, cracks can also indicate a severe problem with the home’s foundation or the presence of a termite infestation. Inspectors can check cracks in walls, ceilings, and other areas and determine if they’re caused by termites, other pests or a foundation problem. They can also let you know if these cracks are merely cosmetic ones that you do not need to worry about.

Electrical Issues

Although routine home inspectors do not specifically check for pests, they can let you know if there is any damage to your electrical wiring that might indicate a pest problem. For example, ants, mice, and other pests can chew on wiring inside walls, which increases the risk of a fire. Having a home inspection done on your electrical components can let you know if you need to have any pest inspections done. These inspections can help you find out if there are infestations inside the walls or other areas of the home.

Plumbing Problems

A home inspection can also reveal problems with a home’s plumbing, which can have an impact on whether or not there are pests present. Leaks and other sources of moisture attract certain pests, including subterranean termites. If the home has had ongoing plumbing problems or leaks that have been around for a long time, this increases moisture inside walls and other areas. If a home has notable plumbing problems, it’s also important to have a pest inspection done to check for termites or other pests.

Door and Window Problems

Doors and windows are common entry points for many pests, including termites, ants, and rodents. Home inspectors check doors and windows to determine what kind of condition they are in. They might also note cracks and gaps that are present around doors and windows. These gaps make it easy for pests to get inside homes. A home inspection should also reveal if any doors or windows stick when they’re opened or closed since this can be a sign of a termite infestation. Stuck doors and windows can indicate that termites are inside the walls of the home damaging the wood.

Budget Brothers have partnered with home inspection companies that provide quality services. You can find a list of these companies on our website.