Siding And Trim
Siding and trim are the number one area pointed out by home inspectors. The easiest issue to detect are areas of the siding where paint is failing. Areas of siding with missing, flaking, cracking, or blistering paint expose the home to water damage and rot. Areas most prone to rot are areas that receive unfettered exposure to the elements, or areas that direct bulk water to certain locations. Areas covered by patio covers and large overhangs will most likely be in pretty good shape.
Window and door trim need to be flashed correctly. Most buyers purchasing older or vintage homes accept they are purchasing homes built to lesser waterproofing and energy efficient standards. However, homes built in the mid 80’s through current construction will be expected to have properly flashed head trim. This will also apply to mounting blocks and other penetrations.
Gutters And Downspouts
The most common defect that a home inspector will catch is missing kickout flashing. Kickout flashing is a special piece of roof flashing that is bent to direct bulk water into the gutter trough and away from the building.
Gutters and downspouts are critical in effectively routing water away from your home. Make sure your gutters are clean and functioning and your downspouts aren’t clogged. Downspouts that point load water close to your foundation without a proper place to go will be a red flag to the inspector.
Roofs, Skylights, And Chimneys
The easiest issue to spot on a roof is moss growth. Visible moss is a sign that there may be water issues on the roof, and they signal that regular maintenance has been lacking. Usually home inspectors will not physically go on to your roof. It is probable that they will climb up on a ladder and visibly inspect your roof. Inspectors will note skylights while inspecting the roof and cross check that with any signs of water staining or damage to the interior finishes of the well, the finished tunnel that allows light into the interior.
Decks, Porches, And Railings
You do not want the deck to be a looked at as unsafe, or something the new owner will have to repair. Deck codes are straight forward. Decks that have issues with structure, improper hangers and hardware, unsafe railings, or improperly flashed deck ledgers are easily spotted by inspectors.
Soffits, Fascia, And Eaves
Rotted or water stained soffits could be a sign of a roof leak. If noted by an inspector, that observation could lead to a request from a professional roofing contractor. That notation would certainly dampen the overall confidence in the roof system and could potentially lead to a costly repair, or roof replacement, as a condition of the sale.
This covers many of the most likely and potentially expensive problems.
- Roof Problems
- Curled Shingles
- Severely Deteriorated Shingles
- Cracks in shingles
- Hack patch job
- Loose shingle
- Mis-matched shingles
- Slipping Shingles
- Sliding Shingles
- Damaged shingles
- Chimney Problems
- Missing bricks at chimney
- Cracked chimney
- Neapolitan chimney
- Siding
- Cracked hardboard siding
- Hardboard siding rotted and patched
- Rotted hardboard siding
- Severely rotted hardboard siding
- Defects with newer stucco siding
- Stains below windows
- Windows
- Rotted Windows
- Rotted Aluminum Clad Windows
- Rotted Aluminum Window
- Water Management
- Proper gutters, downspouts, and downspout extensions.
- Ground sloping away from house
- Roof Lines
- Water concentrated against house
- Decks
- Rotted deck joists
- Sagging Deck
- Guardrails
