Top Home Inspection Issues
Here are some common problems that general home inspections bring to light.
1. Plumbing:
• Leaking around exposed pipes, particularly with washing machines.• Outdated pipes. It's common to find old Polybutylene pipes, which your inspector will recommend replacing. 2. Electrical: • Ungrounded outlets. You can recognize these by their two-slot configuration versus the three-slot configuration of a grounded outlet. Most inspectors will recommend that you upgrade to grounded outlets.
• Improperly wired breaker boxes. Common hazards include two circuits on a single-pole breaker, oversized breakers, double-pole breakers that supply two single circuits, and wires that cross over the panel's center.
3. Heating:
• Leaks in piping or heating unit; air ducts that need cleaning.• Not enough insulation. Insulation requirements vary by location, but an improperly insulated home will always lead to high energy bills.
4. Drainage:
• A wet basement is a problem because it indicates that water isn't properly draining away from the home.• Mold in the air. When water isn't draining properly, it can result in mold in the air. Mold can also be a byproduct of dry rot.
• Bowed or damaged walls and signs of mold or water problems
7. Dry rot:
- This occurs when fungus grows in your home's wood due to high condensation. The affected wood will have to be replaced.
- Another main concern is figuring out why the condensation is occurring in the first place.
Home Inspection Myth: You don't need a home inspection for a newly constructed home. Not so. Property defects come upon new construction all the time. Just because the house is new doesn't mean it was built properly. Home Inspection Myth: You don't need a home inspection if you're buying a home warranty. Home warranties rarely cover everything. You'll want to know of any potential problems before your closing so that you the seller can take care of them.
Get In Touch
share
Local Expert Updates
Charlie Leissler
Cell: 712.229.9809
Greg Sheeler
Cell: 712.330.1573
Aaron Jones
Cell: 712.320.9442
Janie Eick
Cell: 712.339.0574
Brooke Jones
Cell: 641.420.2172Community Updates
Winther Stave & Co
At Winther, Stave & Co., LLP we use a team approach. You have a team of accounting professionals at your disposal, not just one person. With specialists in many different areas, we can draw on that breadth of knowledge and experience to help with services ranging from taxes, to payroll, to wealth preservation.
Big Spirit Lake, Small Town Feel
Separated from the rest of the Iowa Great Lakes, Big Spirit has a lot to offer. Big Spirit is actually located in Iowa and in Minnesota. This quiet setting offers a number of different lake views as well as access to fantastic fishing. While your are there, stop at the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery. Every year they use gillnetting to catch and release walleye, muskie and pike using each fish to help breed a new batch of fish for the year. Often times the DNR catches very large fish and put them on display in one of their many fish tanks. The DNR professionals harvest fish eggs and release them after they hatch. Stop by and see the in the Spring, you will not be disappointed.
Silver Lake Country Club
Silver Lake Country Club is a great 9 hole golf course, situated just west of the town on Lake Park. I grew up playing this course, although it does not have any water or sand hazards, it has plenty of length at 3220 yards. A brutal stretch from hole 5 through 7. Hole 5 is a par 3 170yds, with a sloping green that makes it nearly impossible to stick the tee shot. Holes 6 and 7 par 4's boasting over 425+ yards each make for some tough pars. Overall this course is very fun to play, at some of the best prices around the Lakes Area. I encourage you to get out some day and check it out. They usually have specials if you tee off before noon on Fridays.