It is always the better option to get in touch with a professional home inspection company to ensure an accurate evaluation of your home/property. There are, however, some things that you can look out for before hiring an inspector to keep you “in the know” of what’s broken, what’s needs repaired immediately, and what’s in good condition.
As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility and no one else’s to ensure your home is well kept and maintained to a reasonable standard. This means all odd jobs and repairs around the property are yours to keep on top of.
Like many people, you may not have the time, due to work commitments. You may need to use your vacation time to handle the tasks of maintaining your property, and keep it in tiptop shape.
Areas that you should be looked at include the roof and chimney (if you have one). The thing about a roof and/or chimney is you don’t usually notice any problems until the problem itself is too far advanced.
Another area is water leak trails. These are fairly visible, but locating the source of the leak is a little harder. It would be better to hire a home inspector who has experience in accessing crawl spaces, and attics to help locate the problem. They can advise on what steps should be taken next.
Another area that needs your attention around the home is the gutters; make sure your gutters are free of debris and clean. Clogged up gutters and down pipes will cause water to overflow and spill onto the surrounding area below.
Keep an eye on any cracks that have appeared in walls inside and outside of the house. Cracks in walls could mean serious foundation problems. Make sure that you take the time out and check over your home. If you do see cracks, contact an inspector to get an idea of how bad the situation is.
Even though there are areas that you can keep an eye on regularly, houses sometimes shift and could compromise the strength of the structure. If you notice cracks around the foundation, call us for an initial free consultation.
