Depending upon the type of material used, roofs can be expected to last anywhere from 10 years to 40 years. Ultimately, they’re not made to last forever and many homebuyers find themselves needing to fix a roof within the first few years of purchasing a home. In the state of Florida, it is common for residential inspections to uncover serious roof damage due to exposure to extreme weather like hurricanes and torrential summer rain. Your inspector will tell you how serious the damage is and whether its something that needs to be addressed immediately or can be handled at some point after you move in.
Outdated Or Faulty Electrical
Depending upon the age of a home, the electrical problems encountered in a residential inspection will vary. In very old homes, the wiring and even the electrical panel will need to be replaced. And often, over the years, inexperienced electricians and over-exuberant homeowners may have tried their hand at electrical work. In many cases, an inspector may find issues like these that need to be addressed.
Failing Air Conditioners
Like roofing, air conditioning systems can take a beating in Florida. And like roofs, they’re not meant to last forever. If you’re purchasing a home that has had the same AC until for 15 or more years, you’ll likely find that a residential inspector recommends it be replaced.
Water Intrusion And Leakage
One of the big and sometimes most costly issues found in an inspection is water. Homes are built to be waterproof because of the amount of damage that a little bit of leakage can cause. Some of the most common ways that water leaks into a home are bad gutters or a poorly graded yard. When gutters are either broken, installed improperly or simply packed with leaves so water spills over and can cause serious damage to roofs or lead to water pooling up around homes foundation. That same pooling effect can be caused by a poorly graded property, and when standing water finds its way to your foundation its only a matter of time before it seeps in and causes mold issues.
Another frequent water issue uncovered by a residential inspection is leaking pipes. This is dangerous because it’s easy for the problem to go unnoticed. Advanced inspection technologies help catch this issue before you can see or smell it.
These four issues just scratch the surface of what can be uncovered during a residential inspection. Hopefully, this motivates you to invest in one so that you can ensure you’re making a great investment in your next home. For more information about our inspection services, contact us today.
