Dave Your Home Inspector

This week I have put together a list of the five most common discrepancies found during a home inspection.  I’m pretty sure everyone is as excited to know this as I am!  This is by no means a scientific study with years of data.  This is a simple compilation of facts from summary reports written by me, covering discrepancies found during inspections performed in the past year. 

My top five list is as follows:

1. Dirty furnace that hasn’t been properly serviced.
2. Carbon Monoxide detectors.
3. GFCI outlets non-functional or not installed.
4. Overgrown or improper landscaping.
5. Improper installation of water heater.

It is recommended by most manufacturers to clean and service furnaces and central AC units annually.  A dirty, un-serviced furnace can be the cause of inefficiency, premature failure or even a fire. 

Carbon Monoxide detectors save lives!  Illinois passed a law in 2007 that states there must be a CO detector within 15 feet of any sleeping area.  It is hard to believe there are so many homes without proper protection.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI’s) are required for all outlets servicing bathrooms, garages, unfinished basements & crawl spaces, any kitchen counter top (including island outlets), and most outdoor receptacles.

Trees or shrubs touching the roof or siding pose several problems.  There may be damage to the roofing material or siding caused by branches blowing in the wind.  There is also a direct path for animals and other pests to gain access to the roof and possibly find (or make) a way into your home.

A water heater that is improperly installed is like a ticking time bomb.  Water heaters fail all the time.  With the proper installation of a TPR valve and the required piping, the damage and threat of personal injury is greatly reduced. 

These are the top five most common items I have found during Home Inspections I performed in the past year.  If you think you may have similar issues in your home or if you are unsure, call today for a no obligation quote for a Maintenance Inspection. 

Thanks for reading!

David Novalinski

About Your Home Inspection, Inc.

847 669 9040

The market of the past few years has been a great opportunity for people who flip homes.  If you are not familiar with the term, here is the definition according to Wikipedia:

Flipping is a term used primarily in the United States to describe purchasing a revenue-generating asset and quickly reselling (or “flipping”) it for profit. Though flipping can apply to any asset, the term is most often applied to real estate and initial public offerings.

In the current market there are an abundance of homes that have been foreclosed on, many of which are inpoor condition.  Many of those homes are purchased for a nominal amount by a Real Estate investor with the intent of investing time and money to turn around and sell the house for a profit.  Many times this process is done in a few weeks. 

Don't be fooled by a little 'lipstick'!

As with anything else, there are some people who go about this in the right way, and some others who don’t.  It isn’t necessarily because they are trying to rip somebody off.  Sometimes they just get in over their head.  They bit off more than they could chew.  That is when things can really go south.

It costs more to do it right so corners get cut.  To coin a phrase from Mike Holmes, ‘somebody slaps a little lipstick on it’ and it’s good to go.  The furnace that sat under water for two weeks is dried out and put back in service.  The dark stains on the bottom of the floors above the basement are ignored and a new ceiling is installed.  The wiring in the electrical panel looks like a bird nest.  How can this be stopped?

One way to avoid this happening to you is to hire a home inspector before you buy any house.  Sometimes it is almost impossible to spot the issues because they go to great lengths to cover things up but there are usually some tell tale signs.  My question is: why wouldn’t someone just spend that time and money to fix it right?  It doesn’t make sense to me.

Feel free to comment on this post.  What are your thoughts?

David Novalinski Sr.

About Your Home Inspection, Inc

847 669 9040

First of all, what is a typical inspection?  To keep everything as simple as possible, our definition of a typical inspection is a 1500-2500sf home with a basement, 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, one furnace, one central air unit and one water heater.  When scheduling an inspection like this, we recommend that our client be prepared to spend 2 ½ – 3 hours with us in the home. 

If you look back a few posts, you will see there is a lot to look at during an inspection.  Obviously, the square footage of a home can affect the amount of time needed to complete an inspection.  But don’t think that just because a house is small it will be a fast inspection.  There may be less space but all the same basic elements are there.  The furnace, water heater, electrical box, plumbing, etc. still have to be looked at.  For that reason, even a small home may take up to 2 hours to complete an inspection. 

Another factor that effects inspection times is the age and general condition of the house.  An older home or a home in disrepair may require more time to determine if items noted during the inspection are original to the home and may be ‘grandfathered’ in.  As years have gone by, general building practices have changed to improve the functionality of the home and make it safer for the occupants.  As homes are updated it is required that the new practices are put in place.  If the electrical system is simply outdated, it doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to be updated prior to the sale.  If the electrical system is outdated and unsafe, that can be a totally different story. 

Each home inspection is unique in its own way.  If you have a question about an inspection on a particular home, call our office and we can answer all your questions. 

About Your Home Inspection, Inc.

847-669-9040

First of all, let me start by saying, it takes more than just a ‘look’ to inspect a home.  I use all of my senses during an inspection.  Sight, smell, sound, feel, sometimes taste (not always by choice), and common sense!  With that being said I will go back to the original Question.  What do I look at during a home inspection?

Everything!  But maybe I should be a little more specific.  A typical inspection begins with a walk around the exterior.  At this time I talk with my client about the condition of the siding, windows, foundation, site grading, doors and roof.  I also recommend periodic maintenance that should be done to maintain the exterior. 

Next we start on the interior.  I usually like to begin at the top and work my way down.  Ceilings, walls, windows, outlets, doors, floors………and that’s just the bedrooms.  In the bathrooms I inspect the toilet, shower, tub vanity, faucets, and drains.  In the kitchen it is more of the same.  Lights, counters, cabinets, electric, appliances, floors…….. No stone is left unturned. 

Then it’s on to the mechanicals.  The furnace, AC, and water heater are inspected for wear, neglect and proper installation.  Each unit is operated to ensure proper function.  The electrical panel is opened and inspected for improper wiring practices. 

And if that’s not enough, we still have to look in the attic, crawlspace and garage.  So, as you can tell, a home inspection is an in depth look at the true condition of a house.