Top Ten Most Common Home Defects

Listed below are some of the more common problems we find in a typical home inspection. A number of these issues also occur in new home construction. Defects are not limited to older homes.

Although many of the issues listed here may seem obvious it is when an inspection uncovers something unexpected or unseen that the money spent on a professional home inspection could save you from making a major financial mistake.

1.  Poor Drainage & Water Intrusion
Wet basements or crawlspaces due to ground water intrusion are a very common problem found by home inspectors. Moisture problems can be persistent, hard to adequately resolve and sometimes damaging to the buildings foundation and structural framework. Correction can sometimes be as simple as re-grading the exterior grounds, adding a roof drainage system, or adding an extension to an existing downspout. Other times major landscaping and other large scale drainage solutions are necessary.

2.  Electrical Safety Hazards
An insufficient or out-of-date electrical system is a common problem, especially (but not always) in older homes. Examples of other electrical safety hazards are ungrounded outlets, lack of Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI), aluminum wiring, and faulty wiring conditions in electrical panels or elsewhere in a building. These are potentially hazardous defects and not to be taken lightly.

3.  Roofing Damage
Problems with roofing material including water infiltration may be caused by old or damaged shingles, improper installation, improper flashing, or lack of maintenance. Most roofs will have some type of issue - this does not mean it needs replaced - typically routine maintenance and repairs are needed. However some do need replaced due to age.

4.  Older Heating System
An older heating system or one that has been poorly maintained can be a serious health and safety hazard. You may have to repair or replace the old furnace. This is a major expense, but a new furnace is much more energy-efficient, which will probably save you money in the long run. Unless your heating system is electric, we recommend installing carbon monoxide detectors in a couple of locations in the house.

5.  Poorly Maintained Home
Poor overall maintenance usually leads to a large range of problems that will require attention. Examples of poor maintenance include cracked walls and ceilings, rotting wood trim or siding, crumbling masonry, broken fixtures, shoddy or improper wiring or plumbing, and much more. Cosmetic issues are easily corrected but makeshift electrical, plumbing, and structural situations are serious and potentially dangerous problems.

6.  Minor Structural Problems
These problems are typical in older homes, and can cover everything from cracked plaster to small movements in the foundation. While they are not likely to cause the house to fall down, they should be corrected before they become more serious.

7.  Plumbing Problems
The most common plumbing defects include old or incompatible piping materials and faulty fixtures or waste lines. Also included are water heater installation issues such improperly installed overflow piping, unsafe flue conditions, or faulty gas piping. Plumbing problems may require simple repairs, such as replacing a fixture, or more expensive measures, such as replacing the plumbing itself.

8.  Rotted Wood
Rotten or deteriorated wood in areas throughout the exterior and interior of the home. Examples are roof eaves, exterior trim, decks, around tubs and showers, below loose toilets, and other areas that can become wet and stay wet for long periods of time.

9.  Excessive Air Leakage
Inadequate insulation, poor weather stripping, badly fitted doors, older non-insulated windows, deteriorated caulking and poor attic seals all contribute to a cold and drafty home. Repairs are usually simple and inexpensive.

10.  Environmental Hazards
Environmental problems are a new and growing area of home defects. They include lead-based paint (common in homes built before 1978), asbestos, formaldehyde, contaminated drinking water, radon, allergens, mold, and leaking underground oil tanks.