8 Important Issues Your Home Inspector Won’t Check
Learn more about Home MD home inspections
Before completing a real estate deal you will want your prospective home to be inspected. This is the time to find any problems that may lead to future expensive home repairs. Your home inspector may not be able to tell you everything you need to know about the house. A home inspector will not take on liability for issues outside the area of their expertise. You may need additional inspectors who are experts in these fields.
Here are 8 things your home inspector won’t check:
- Roof Inspection
- Chimney Inspection
- Geological Inspection
- Sewer Inspection
- Termite Inspection
- Moisture, mold and toxin Inspection
- Asbestos Inspection
- Nonconforming-use Inspection
Roof Inspection:
If they aren’t specifically qualified, your home inspector won’t check the roof. In this case, you may need to call in a Roof Inspection specialist. The inspector will need to get on the roof to inspect it. If the weather doesn’t permit seeing the roof, you may be able to extend the inspection contingency until the weather clears.
Chimney Inspection:
Your home inspector won’t check the chimney if they are not specialized to do so. A Chimney Inspection might find instability or hints of structural damage in the home. If the home has a fireplace, it would be important to hire a chimney specialist. The chimney specialist uses a small video camera to inspect from the inside of the chimney. This uncovers any hidden damage.
Geological Inspection:
Your new property could be located in a flood zone, on a hillside or cliff. Without specialized training, a home inspector won’t check the geology of the area. A Geological Inspector might find a severe drainage or ground-shifting problems. This could save you thousands in future repair costs.
Sewer Inspection:
A sewer expert uses a sewer camera to inspect the integrity of your sewer line. This helps find cracks or breaks from the house to the street. If the property has a lot of landscaping, root growth can crack and clog the pipeline. A sewer line replacement can be an enormous expense. Your home inspector usually won’t check the sewer. A sewer inspector will be required to verify the integrity of the sewer line.
Termite Inspection:
Many mortgage companies and banks need this inspection before approving a loan on the house. The seller may pay for this inspection. After reviewing the finished report, be sure all the recommended work has been completed. Your home inspector won’t check for termites. A termite or pest inspection company will need to inspect the property.
Moisture, Mold, and Toxin Inspection:
Moisture indicates a potential mold problem. The inspector needs to check for moisture in any crawlspace, basement or below-ground-level areas. While some signs of mold and moisture problems are easy to see, your home inspector won’t check for Mold in hard to see areas. You will need a clean bill of mold health before moving into the home from a qualified Mold Inspection Service.
Asbestos Inspection:
Asbestos Inspections are needed on homes built before 1975. Asbestos can be present on insulation around ducting, water heaters, and pipes. Your home inspector won’t check for asbestos. See if the seller will pay for an Asbestos Specialist to remove any accessible asbestos found.
Nonconforming-Use Inspection:
This doesn’t require another inspector but a joint effort between your home inspector and your real estate agent. It is to determine if all additions and major changes have been properly permitted. Improperly completed sun porches, add-on bedrooms or converted garages can cause headaches when trying to make them legal.
Schedule a Home Inspection Now
