How to pass a home inspection 

You may not notice issues that fail a home inspection. Nobody likes to believe for a second that the house they’ve fallen in love with may be hiding some severe problems! 

Let’s straighten out the most typical reasons for a home inspection failure so you can get a sense of what can pause things.

Why you should check for things that could fail a home inspection 

A qualified home inspector will come over to the home during the inspection to search for any issues. They will inspect the home to ensure that it is stable, that the plumbing and electrical work is safe, and other aspects. 

The home inspection is an important phase in your home-buying journey since it may help you save a lot of money in the future. Despite the fact that you may not want to spend extra money on an inspection right now, these examinations and inspections have saved many homeowners an average of $14,000! 

Here are things that can fail a home inspection: 

Just to be clear, a home inspection isn’t always a “pass” or “fail” evaluation. It’s primarily about obtaining an assessment of the home’s physical state and determining what would need to be mended or changed. 

• Leaks 

To detect leakage, the inspector might look for evidence of mold or mildew, water damage, and cracks around pipes throughout the house. They’ll also examine for water stains or cracks in the ceiling. 

• Ground sloping or drains toward the property. 

The home may suffer considerable water damage if sufficient drainage is not provided. It might result in settlement cracks, humidity in the crawlspace, and even base movement. If water does not drain away from the foundation, moisture may be absorbed into the structure, leading to mold and rotting. 

Water intrusion/damage can also be caused by the following factors: 

• Improperly installed flashing systems from behind the walls 
• Major Landscape alterations (poorly laid patios, re-sloping the yard, etc.) 

• puddles of water 

In an ideal scenario, every lawn would slope away from the house by at least 3%, allowing water to flow away from the house and preventing water damage. Even if the ground was properly graded, the house would settle and the soil beneath the foundation may change. (The earth should drop two to three inches every ten feet away from the foundation.) 

• Foundation problems 

Apart from water-wicking, the inspector will examine the foundation for other abnormalities. They’ll indeed be looking for cracks.  

Many homes are constructed on clay-rich terrain, which can move up to two inches every season. A cracked foundation might indicate building concerns, roofing problems, non-closing doors and windows, and basement leakage. 

• Mold 

People usually think of black mold, also known as Stachybotrys Chartarum , when they think about hazardous mold in the house. Many individuals are unaware that exposure to any type of mold can cause a number of health issues, including breathing problems, headaches, rashes, and much more. 

It’s worth mentioning that mold isn’t always visible and doesn’t always have that characteristic, musty odor, making it more difficult to detect. Mold has the ability to develop everywhere there are water-soaked materials and symptoms of a leak, mold has the chance of growing. 

• Wood Rotting 

The inspector will search for any exposed wood as they go through the house. They’ll check to see whether the wood has been contaminated by mold or pests.  

It’s also worth noting that inspectors will look for wood rot caused by age and dampness. They’ll look in the legs of outside doors, windows, the roof, and wooden structures like a staircase or a deck. 

• Plumbing issues 

Plumbing issues and leaking pipes are frequent reasons for a home inspection failing. These problems can be as basic as a leaking faucet or a slower drain, but they can also include more serious concerns like cross-connection difficulties (where another water supply contaminates household water) or the need to rebuild pipes.  

Plumbing is a major source of concern since a concealed leak that goes unnoticed can lead to mold growth throughout the house. 

• Electrical issues 

Electrical problems cause over 51,000 house fires each year, so it’s understandable that home inspectors analyze a home’s electrical system to ensure that everything appears to be in working order. 

Fraying insulation, DIY wiring, misaligned wires, and overcurrent protection are all frequent electrical concerns found by inspectors. 

• Asbestos 

If you’re thinking of  purchasing a home that has been built before the year 1981, it is very possible that asbestos-containing materials were used. Insulation around heaters, vinyl or asphalt flooring, and spray-on surface materials are examples of these materials. 

Home inspectors search for indicators of disturbed asbestos, such as cracking insulation, when it comes to asbestos. They aren’t concerned about carcinogen-containing siding or tiles since they may be covered with other materials to shield them from harm. 

• Roofing materials and problems 

Because the roof is such an important component of the house, it will be one of the first things a home inspector will look for. If the roof leaks, the house will be vulnerable to plenty of issues, the most of which we’ve previously mentioned! 

Home inspectors will examine the materials to ensure that they are still in good condition, that they are placed correctly, and that there are no visible indications of water damage. Many homebuyers would walk away from a transaction if the house has roofing problems since it is one of the priciest fixes.