It doesn’t matter if you’re just buying a property or have been living there for years; it is important to have it inspected regularly. It’s a good idea to contact an expert in Sydney building defects and inspections to complete this for you.
However, gaining an understanding of the most common home inspection problems will help you to deal with these issues before they become a major problem. You can also use this knowledge to visually inspect your home on a regular basis and spot potential issues.
Faulty Electrics
This is one of the most dangerous of all the common faults as electricity can cause serious injury or even death. Faulty wiring is one of the biggest issues; bad earth can prevent appliances working or leave you vulnerable to shocks.
You need to check all the sockets and other outlets to ensure that the wiring has not become loose, or corroded. It is also a good idea to visually inspect all your appliances for issues.
As well as faulty sockets you need to check the wiring in your breaker box and check that all the circuit breakers work properly.
In addition, pests can chew through wiring in the walls, creating shorts and increasing the risk of fire.
It is generally safer for a home inspector or qualified electrician to check all the wiring for you; they’ll be able to run circuit tests to ensure the cables you can’t see aren’t damaged.
Damp
Another big problem in many homes is damp. This is often something that rises from the bottom of the house upwards. The first place to check is the basement. You’ll know there is an issue if there are damp patches on the floor and the bottom part of the walls. You may also see white powdery mold or mildew stains.
Mold spores can be bad for your health, especially if someone in your house is allergic to them.
Damp rising from the ground is generally a sign that the damp membrane is no longer effective, or non-existent. You’ll need to get this replaced which is not a small job.
Leaks
Leaks can cause a variety of problems in your home; the worst of which is generally wet rot, where your wood timbers literally rot and disintegrate thanks to excessive moisture.
You can look at your roof visually from outside but the real sign that there is an issue is a damp patch or stain on the ceiling.
The longer this is left the more damage it will do to the structure of your home.
You may also get damp patches on walls, these can often be connected to water on the outside wall, suggesting that your guttering is not working properly.
When assessing leaks it is also important to check the plumbing. The easiest way to do this is to shut off all appliances and then check the water meter; if it is still moving you have a leak. These leaks can cost you a lot of money on your water bill and they can do as much damage to your home as leaks in the roof or rising damp.
Pest Access
Pests can cause a huge number of issues in your home. Termites will literally eat the wood out of your house, while mice can make nests in your ventilation and air conditioning ducts; preventing them from working properly. They are also likely to cause damage in finding materials for their nests and chewing through electrical cables.
It can be hard to spot pests until the damage starts to become extreme. However, you and the home inspector can look for access points around the outside of your home. If you find any you need to seal them up as quickly as possible; to prevent the pests from getting in and becoming an issue.
If you already have a pest issue then you need to contact a pest control specialist to get rid of them for you.
Heating & Ventilation Issues
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units are very important to your comfort levels. These can easily become blocked or damaged and even cause a fire risk. It is essential to check them regularly and fix any issues quickly.
If you don’t there is a good chance that the repair bill will be much more and damage will occur to your home.
In addition, the vents that ensure air flows under your home and in cavity walls should be checked. If these are blocked the air will get damp and cause issues, the free movement of air is essential to the health of your home.
It is important not to underestimate the importance of checking your heating and cooling appliances. If they are not working properly they can release carbon monoxide into your home; which is odorless and deadly.
