What to look for in a home inspection in Arizona
Peradventure you have signed an agreement to buy a home, one of the most important things to do before closing the deal is getting a professional home inspection. This is your opportunity to research the property all the more intently and reveal, assuming any, serious issues that should be attended to by the seller before purchasing the home.
What's the point in getting an inspection?
Besides waking up one night to find a hole in the ceiling, a home inspection gives you the opportunity to get close and personal with the property, taking note of every single detail, which would then help you to make up your mind on whether you are ready to invest in that property or not. Buying a home should be viewed as a long term project which you don't want to rush into, therefore, every step you need to take that will minimize or totally eliminate future regrets should be taken as soon as possible. By the way, wouldn't you love to use whatever fault you find as a negotiating chip in the whole buying process?
At West USA Realty, we take home inspection to another level by exploring places that the owner and the average inspector wouldn't. Only very few owners check the roof for cracked or broken tiles and leaky supply lines under the sink in the kitchen or in the bathroom. What you get are accurate knowledge of the property and true serenity, and here are the things to look for in a home inspection in Arizona.
9 THINGS TO LOOK FOR AT THE EXTERIOR
1. Cracked or broken roof tiles - This is one of the most common issues found when inspecting homes in Arizona, and this is because, unless there's a leak in the roof, most homeowners have no reason to walk on the roof, and therefore, do not notice it.
2. Plumbing - Virtually anything can cause leakage, from broken seals around faucets to damaged or corroded pipes under the sink and in the bathroom. Improper installation and clogging of plumbing vents can also be found during the inspection.
3. Roof valleys can be difficult to clean regularly, and therefore, accumulate debris over time. This is an unpleasant scene which reduces the curb appeal and can damage the roof if left for too long.
4. Check the gate valves properly to ensure that they are in perfect condition. Some of these gate valves are broken and do not completely stop the flow of water when closed.
5. Improper drainage and house grading issues - Take note of the gutters, how well are they positioned? The slope around the house also matters. If the direction of the flow of water is towards the foundation walls of the house, and you think there's every chance for water to pool around the house, that is a negative sign.
6. Check all plumbing cross connections properly, especially garden hoses and the sprinkler supply system. This is to prevent a backflow of water into indoor outlets. This inspection should be taken seriously because the results of backflow can be very detrimental to one's health, and you can risk your family's health in the process.
7. Overgrown vegetation close to the house - This isn't ideal in any way. Besides attracting insects and extending their branches into the house, their roots are filled with moisture, and this can damage the pipes around the house, the walls, and the foundation of the house if left for a long time. Also, if you plan to buy a house with trees around the house, make sure they are trimmed regularly to prevent the same problems.
8. Check for missing GFCI outlets at their required locations - GFCI protection outlets ought to be introduced in wet areas outside the house, for example, in garages and swimming pools. While this was not generally a necessity, it is best to replace or upgrade when necessary. This makes it on the rundown of regular home inspection issues on the grounds that many homes are old compared to the new ones, and they were built before the need for GFCIs were popular in these areas.
9. Faulty garage door (auto reverse not working appropriately) - Normally, you don't need a lot of pressure to make the door opener to reverse but when you begin to apply an unreasonable amount of force, then you know the garage door is faulty, and therefore needs to be repaired.
9 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN THE INTERIOR
1. Many homeowners try to run the house by themselves without the help of the professionals, and they often do things that fall below the standard, for example, connecting many wires to one breaker in the panel. Most times, when there's the need to connect more than one wire to a single breaker, make sure that breaker is labeled and listed for two wires.
2. Check the lift tubes on each window. Broken lift tubes don't stand out, and they are not easy to spot. So, It is best to check the lift tubes during the inspection.
3. Weep holes are the little gaps situated on the base edge of storm-window frames, and they serve as drains. There is every possibility for them to get blocked by debris. In the event that they become blocked, they won't be able to function properly, and water can saturate the wood of the ledge, thereby causing it to rot.
4. Check for high-loop at the kitchen sink or the dishwasher, or as an alternative, make sure there's an air gap. This helps water to drain properly.
5. Check the door latches, locks, and all other door accessories to make sure they are in perfect condition.
6. The toilet tanks are sometimes loose, which causes them to vibrate. Make sure they are in good condition and do not require any repair.
7. Also, take note of the flush valves in the toilet. Faulty flush valves cause water to run continuously.
8. Just as you checked for missing GFCI outlets at their required locations outside the home, it is best to check inside the home in places like the bathroom, kitchen and, the basement as well.
9. Check the water heater valves for rusts.
