Finding the perfect home can be challenging. Throughout the excitement we all feel when putting in an offer, we must remember to keep a close eye out for negative features or dangers that come up during a house inspection in Kansas City. It’s important to note that not all observations that licensed home inspectors in Kansas City include in the report are “good” or “bad”. It’s up to you, the buyer, to determine of the observations are deal breakers or not. Let’s shed some light on some of the most common observations in Kansas City home inspections!
- Ground Sloping Or Draining Toward House
The ideal home would have a lawn that has at least a 3% slope away from the home, which would allow water to safely flow away from the home, preventing water damage, flooding, or foundation deterioration. It’s important to note that for every 10 feet away from the foundation, the ground should drip 2-3 inches. Common side effects of improper drainage and sloping are cracks in settlement, dampness and mold, foundation adjusting, and rot.
- Foundation Issues
Certified home inspectors will also look closely for issues regarding the home’s foundation. 60% of homes in the United States are built on land with clay content, or expansive soil, which has the potential to shift up to 2 inches each season. When a crack in a foundation is located, it could mean that there are framing problems, roofing issues, door and window seal issues, or leaks in the basement.
- Plumbing Issues
Issues with a home’s plumbing and leaking pipes are common observations found during Kansas City house inspections. Often these kinds of issues are quick fixes, and nothing worth seriously questioning your future in the particular home over, like a simple leak or a slow drain. Unfortunately, there are often times where more serious problems are found, such as cross-connection issues. Make sure to have your certified home inspector check your plumbing’s health.
- Leaks & Water Damage
The process of finding and observing leaks during a home inspection is more in depth than one might think. Licensed home inspectors will determine whether a water stain is an active leak or not by using thermal imaging and inspecting the plumbing and roofing systems. Kansas City home inspectors will look for mold, mildew, water damage, and cracked pipes when searching a home for leaks.
- Termite Damage
Unfortunately, due to the nature of material most commonly used to build present homes, we are cooking up a meal made especially for termites. Termites cam eat through a home’s beams, through walls, and sometimes even be invisible to the naked eye. That is why it is critical to have a professional termite inspection on your new home.