6 Most Common things found on a Home Inspection
Ok so Ill be the first admit there is no such thing as a common or typical home inspection. Every property is different. But after having conducted many many inspection here in SW Florida I am going to attempt to list what I think are the ten most common issues to always come up during a home inspection.
1. The HVAC system is not functioning properly. We use our systems a great deal of the time here in Florida and they must be maintained if they are to function as designed and as importantly in an economical manner. Check your system occasionally with a inexpensive IR Thermometer. They can be bought an Amazon for as little as $20. Compare the temp of the air entering your air conditioning system at the cold air intake grill with the temp of the air at any duct. It should be cooler than 15 degrees different. Meaning 70 degree air in should be 55 degree or colder air out. If its not, then call a licensed air conditioning company to do a service call and have the system checked and tuned up.
2. Kitchens and Baths with no GFCI protection. Based on the age of the home it may not have been a requirement to install a GFCI protected circuit or outlet in your home when it was built. However, as a matter of safety, its important you as the homeowner update and install these. There are relatively inexpensive and can save lives.
3. Concrete pool decks cracks and driveway cracks not maintained. Concrete as a rule will crack. Many things contribute to this and much of that is out of the typicals homeowners hands. But, when it does crack its imperative the crack be filled and made water tight. Failure to maintain your slabs will result in failure and thousands of dollars in repairs.
4. Windows that fail to open properly or stay open. Because we shut our windows for much of the year and in some cases for years at a time they become sticky and difficult to open when needed. Remember, that window you look out of for a nice view of nature or water is also your emergency egress door. If there is a fire and the doorway is blocked you need to be able to egress from your windows. Keep them lubed up with a good dry lube product and open them at least once a year or more.
5. Stucco cracks. Your stucco coating on your Florida home is most likely going to crack. Concrete shrinks and cracks, slabs settle and crack the exterior coating and other factors contribute to the cracking. The take away here is to maintain those cracks. Fill them with a good exterior grade caulk. Make sure its paintable. Then topcoat with a matching paint. Its important you protect the stucco finish and not allow water to further penetrate. This will, overtime, further deteriorate your homes finish.
6. Wood rot on the bottom of wood trim, doors. SW Florida is sub tropical. This means we average 55 inches of rain a year. All of this moisture will find its way into any exposed wood and rot it in a quick minute. Protect all exposed wood trim and doors with multiple coats of paint and or sealer. Remember to reapply occasionally.
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