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Article #293: Passing your Home Inspection

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Most buyers will want a professional home Plumbing needs to be fixed or clogs
inspector, some lenders require it. At unclogged. Appliances like washers and
times home inspections are done even dishwashers will be tested and these
before the home goes under contract. things become apparent during these
Although home inspections will cover tests. The inspector will also check your
multiple systems within the house, there water pressure by turning on several
are several specific sports that buyers faucets and flushing toilets at the same
worry about most. You don't need to wait time. The inspector also may check the
for inspection day to arrive in order to septic system. One of the ways of doing
assess the condition of your home. Make this is by flushing dye down a stool. The
necessary home repairs and avoid having inspector will then wait to see if the
small problems turn into big headaches. dye surfaces on the drain field, and if
Those big headaches can often require a so, this indicates a draining problem.
lot of money to fix and might even lower You can try these things yourself to see
your home's market value. Below are how well your systems respond. If you
listed some of the most common problems, notice any problems, take care of them,
and ways to fix them: possibly by hiring a professional
Crawlspaces and Wet Basements plumber, before the house is inspected.
If your basement smells of mildew, it is Electrical
signaling that the basement is too moist. The inspector will look for receptacles
Inspectors will closely examine walls and with ground fault interrupters (GFI),
floors for signs of dampness and patches specifically in bathrooms and kitchens.
of mildew. Moisture can deteriorate The circuit breaker and electrical panel
building materials and attract insects, configuration are probably adequate for
some an inspector might even use a meter the home's needs. A 125 amp electrical
to determine how much moisture can be panel will work for most homes. However,
found in some of these spaces. Use be certain that individual circuits are
plastic to cover exposed earth in crawl not overloaded. Also, these GFI
spaces or basement; this will help keep receptacles have little red test and
moisture levels down. It may be fairly reset buttons. The inspector will
expensive to repair leaking walls. If probably make certain that they are what
this kind of problem exists but you do they appear to be, and not just fake ones
not want to make repairs, consider that aren't wired to work. And lastly,
lowering the asking price of the home, grounded receptacles, those with three
with a written understanding that the pronged plugs will likely be checked out
price reflects this problem. You also also.
might give buyers an allowance option to Heating and Cooling
make repairs after closing is completed. Heating and cooling systems will be
Mold or Mildew. checked and the inspector will make
Mildew stains and odors make buyers comments on their efficiency. All
nervous, even more so now that toxic appliances will be checked, along with
black mold has become such a presence. smoke detectors, foundation, and other
You might never get an acceptable offer areas.
if mold or mildew are present anywhere in Before the Inspection
or outside the home. Kill the mold and Keep in mind that home inspectors make
mildew and fix the source of the problem. note of everything. It is very possible
Although the mold in your home may be of that the inspection report will come back
the normal variety, and not the toxic with negative statements, but don't let
stuff (called stachybotrys chartarum) it this discourage you. Remember that no
needs to be remedied immediately. Kill home is perfect, and just do everything
the mold and mildew and then find and fix you can to put the house in good
the source of the problem. condition before you attempt to sell it.
The Roof Remember that the home inspection report
Your roof will be noticed right from the is not a wish-list for buyers. Read your
start, especially by home inspectors. If contract carefully--it probably states
the shingles are moist or rotting which systems should be in good working
beneath, you can guarantee repairs will order at closing. For instance, if the
be required. If needed, climb on your roof is older, but doesn't leak, it is in
roof and be sure that things are in good working order. If there's a leak,
order. Even if the shingles are merely and fixing just the leak is possible, the
deteriorated you might still be asked to roof will be in good working order.
replace them. Ensure gutters are clean Your contract may also state that you are
and free from leaves or dirt, as well as under no obligation to make any repairs
positioning downspouts so that water runs at all--although the buyers can then
away from the house rather than near it. likely withdraw from the contract. Don't
Also if you have a chimney, flashing feel you must comply with unreasonable
around the base should be watertight. demands for repairs.
Plumbing






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