Saturday, February 14, 2015

Tips On Home Inspections Stafford Fairfax, VA

By Katina Brady


Home buying is not a cheap project. The person buying a home would want to assess its potential before getting into the deal. The buyer may need to contact a professional home inspector to assess the home. The assessment report will give the buyer the true picture of the home. The assessor will check on things on things that are not in place that may need fixing. The following guidelines are useful during the home inspections Stafford Fairfax, VA.

Assess the building from outside. Move around assessing the area around the house. Check on the condition of the vegetation. Lifeless trees can be dangerous. This is because they may fall unexpected causing damage. Assess the landscape of the compound if it fits you. You can get a good view of other features from outside. This includes the condition of the roof and the walls. Check on any broken window from outside.

Lay much focus on the foundation. Soaked foundation is a sign of weakness. Check on any crack present. Do not get alarmed by small cracks. However, cracks running vertically and horizontally should be examined thoroughly. You may require an expert to examine them. Check for any gaps along the doors and the windows. Such gaps are a sign of shifting foundation.

Inspect all the walls thoroughly. Look behind the pictures and the wall hangings to see if there are any cracks. Open the windows and doors to ensure that they are not stuck. Lift the carpet to check the condition of the floor, cracked tiles could mean extra expenses of fixing them. Lift any other item on the floor to check for any defects.

Inspect the roof to ensure gutters have no rust, mud deposits and are sealed. The vents are clean and not painted over. The chimney is straight and properly flashed. There should be no evidence of damaged bricks or cracked joints. Ensure the drainpipes slope towards outlet to septic or sewerage system. The ridge and fascia board lines must appear straight and level.

Check on the service panel if it has adequate capacity and all cables are attached to panel with cable connectors. A well-maintained house has the proper lighting with all the switches and plugs functioning. Ensure these are recent and functioning. A modern structure has an internet connection. Each room should have a three-pronged electrical outlet. Test the breakers, they should not overheat.

Check the watering system. It is essential to turn on and off all the taps to find if they are working. Check on both the kitchen and the bathroom taps. Inspect the running of the toilets. Flush every toilet and see if they stop running. The poor drainage system may lead to weakening of the house. Check in the tubs, sinks, shower, and ensure that they are functioning well.

Look for rusts in the appliances. The cooling and heating appliances are critical and must be in good working condition. Most appliances should not be too old. You may find challenges in getting spares for repairs in case they break down. For the plumbing, appliances ensure the vents do not end in the lofts.




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