If you’re preparing to sell your home, a home inspection will take place before the sale is final. You’ll want the house to be in its best possible shape before the inspection, so CHC Home Inspection shares common things that fail a home inspection.
If your home has any issues on this list, you should address them promptly, so the sale is not affected.
Electrical System
A faulty electrical system is an absolute deal breaker when it comes to things that fail a home inspection. Electricity is an essential and complex service, but it’s also hazardous, and a malfunction can cause a fire. Your inspector will look for things like:
An outdated or damaged panel
Overloaded breakers
Exposed or damaged wiring
Unsafe wiring, especially if your home was built between 1965-1973
Unwanted Visitors
Any evidence of pest infestation, especially termites, will require swift action on your part. Termites and rodents can cause extensive damage to your home, including in areas you cannot see, like behind the walls. If you suspect you have an infestation, we recommend scheduling a termite inspection.
A Roof in Disrepair
Nobody wants to deal with the cost of a roof replacement shortly after they’ve purchased a home. Asphalt roof shingles have a lifespan of approximately 15-20 years; if you’re creeping up on the mark, you may need to repair your roof. There are a few signs that your roof needs repair and possible replacement, including:
Damaged or missing shingles
Missing flashing
Water damage on the roof or in the attic
Signs of decay or sagging
Drainage Issues
The results can be disastrous when water isn’t properly draining away from a structure. The pooling water can cause the soil around the home's foundation to become spongy, resulting in shifting and possibly cracking of the foundation.
If you notice your yard is flooding, your gutters are overflowing, or your basement smells musty, you likely have a drainage problem. Fortunately, when caught early on, drainage issues can be solved by adding topsoil to grade the ground and adding a slight slope for water runoff. You’ll also want to replace the gutters and downspouts and ensure they are directing water far enough away from the foundation.
Other Problems
Other issues can also affect the results of a home inspection. These include problems with the sewage, plumbing, or HVAC systems. Most of the time, the repairs needed for problems with these are relatively straightforward. However, if a home’s HVAC system, sewage, or plumbing need to be replaced, you run into much higher costs and the potential of a failed home inspection.
The presence of mold and asbestos are issues that must be dealt with for your home to pass an inspection. The amount of money and time that will be necessary to remedy either of these problems will depend on their location in the house and the amount that must be removed. An air quality inspection can help you determine if your home is susceptible to mold of other hazards.
Contact Us
Are you planning to put your home on the market, or want to know if there are existing issues you need to address? CHC Home Inspection offers various inspection services to meet all of your residential and commercial needs.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection or request an insurance quote. We have locations in Lexington, Liberty, and Louisville and are happy to serve all of Kentucky, including Lexington, Louisville, Liberty, Somerset, Georgetown, and Nicholasville, KY.
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