Home inspectors come across a wide variety of issues during their home inspections, but there are certain issues that appear more frequently than others. Below are five of the most common issues found by home inspectors.

1. Drainage Issues

This may be the most common problem found by home inspectors. A grade sloping toward the home can lead to damp or wet crawlspaces, foundation movement, cracking or settlement. Water absorbed by the foundation could lead to rot in the walls, framing members and mold. Problems like this can become very expensive. To improve drainage, a home owner may have to install a new system of gutters and downspouts or have the lot re-graded to better channel water away from the home.

2. Electrical Wiring

An insufficient or outdated electrical system is another common problem, especially in older homes. This is a potentially hazardous defect and should not to be taken lightly. Common issues include: insufficient electrical service to the house, aluminum wiring, inadequate overload protection, dangerous do-it-yourself wiring, and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) that either doesn't work or is ungrounded. These are serious safety hazards, not just cosmetic defects. The entire electrical system may have to be replaced, or at least part of it, to bring the home up to current safety standards.

3. Roof

Problems with the roof vary from sagging to damaged trusses to missing flashing. Old, damaged shingles or improper roof flashings may cause roof leaks and water damage to ceilings. It’s relatively easy and inexpensive to have a few shingles and small amounts of flashing repaired, but if a problem is allowed to progress, the repair costs will rise as time goes on.

4. Heating System

An older or poorly maintained heating system can be a serious health and safety hazard, so eliminate a fire hazard by having it inspected. In some cases, especially with older homes, the furnace may need to be replaced entirely. Although this is a major expense, new furnaces are more energy-efficient, which will undoubtedly save money down the road. Also, if it is not an electrical heating system, consider installing carbon monoxide detectors in a couple different locations within the home.

5. Ventilation

Poor ventilation often results in too much moisture that wreaks havoc on interior walls and structural components and can also aggravate allergies. Ventilation fans should be installed in every bathroom without a window, and windows should be regularly opened throughout the home. Roof vents should also be installed to ventilate the attic. Repairing damage caused by poor ventilation may only involve replacing drywall and other inexpensive finishes, but if a structural element must be replaced, it can become quite expensive.

The five common home inspection issues above are great examples of why it is important to get a home inspection. Having a trained professional with knowledge of issues, such as these, inspect your home will help give a home buyer peace of mind about the condition of the home. It is also better to catch these issues sooner rather than later so they can be taken care of right away and not cause bigger problems down the road.