Buying a home is a big investment and it’s best to ensure that it’s in the best condition for any buyer, whether it’s your first home or an investment property.
While general home inspections are almost always recommended for home buyers, savvy buyers will do due diligence by scheduling a professional home inspection, especially if the home is old or has specific features. So, whether you’re looking for a new home in San Diego or browsing a home for sale in Detroit, learn more about the different types of home inspections to consider.
Do I need to have a professional home inspection?
Brian Wendorf, an integrated home inspection, compares the home inspection to a doctor’s visit. “Getting home tests is like seeing a trusted GP who evaluates your overall health and recommends meeting a professional if you have questions or concerns about a potential issue.”
You should always consider a professional examination based on the age, location, or condition of your home to investigate potential issues, especially those common in your local home. A typical home inspection is great to provide an idea of the overall condition of your home at some point, but you may miss important details.
When it comes to buying a house, I want to make sure I know everything you need to know about the property before signing it on the dotted line. Here are 18 different home inspections to consider.
Types of house inspections
Roof Electric Attic HVAC Mold Pest Foundation Piping Cleanup Radon Asbestos Pool Soil Lead-Based Paint Crawl Space Sewer Materials Biology (WDO)
1. Roof inspection
Roof inspectors will perform more thorough inspections that may reveal untrained, invisible issues. These include leaks, unsecured shingles that allow water to enter the home, and groove conditions.
“Your roof is a shield against elements of your home,” says Preston Smith, Mahogany Premium Home Inspection. “A roof inspection during a home inspection can help you spot problems early and save money on repairs. Peace of mind is valuable.”
2. Electrical inspection
Safety, comfort and improved energy efficiency are some of the benefits that can be obtained from having an electrical system inspected by a professional. Wires can be worn out and damaged from normal wear and tears, pose a dangerous fire hazard to your home and family.
3. Attic inspection
Check out the attic before closing your dream home. Attic inspections assess ventilation and insulation while searching for termite-like pests.
“Many people, including some roofing companies, don’t understand the importance of ventilation in the roof and attic, or the proper way to install ventilation systems,” says Sean Brady of Specquest. “Having an inspection of a home, including attic, can help identify defects in the area and help to extend the life of your roofing material.”
4. Chimney inspection
Chimney inspections can alert you of potential issues with fire boxes or flues, buildup, or blockages that can be brought about to the landlord to fix them before closing the house. Inspectors will assess the external for cracks and structural damage and clean the chimneys of accumulation of creosote (a byproduct of burning wood) that can be burned without treatment.
5. HVAC testing
Strange sounds and smells can indicate underlying issues that can affect your HVAC system, indicating an increase in heating and cooling costs, or the need to replace it with an entirely new system. HVAC inspections can provide a clearer picture of your home’s heating and cooling system, and even provide recommendations for repairs and energy-efficient upgrades.
“Ac units are one of the most used components in the home,” says Calhoffman of Miami Dibum. “HVAC and vent testing are probably one of the least thought-about things, but they are one of the most cost-effective actions a homeowner can do once every three to five years. A functioning unit with proper ventilation will not only pay for itself, but will continue to save homeowners money throughout their life.”
6. Mold inspection
Just because you can’t see mold doesn’t mean you aren’t hiding in your dream home. In fact, mold issues could indicate that your home has bigger issues, such as floods, leaks, and even floods.
“Mold testing involves a comprehensive visual assessment of properties to identify visible molds and traditional conditions for potential molds,” says Randy Cottrell of Blue Crab Testing. “Advanced tools such as infrared imaging and moisture metering are used to detect moisture and moisture that is invisible to the naked eye.”
Note: Mold testing is especially important in humid areas such as Miami, Florida.
7. Pest testing
Termites and other wood-loving pests can cause irreparable damage to their costly replacement properties. A trained pest inspector can clearly identify whether there is a continuing presence of termites, carpenter ants, rodents, and spiders outside and inside your home. Getting pest tested early will reveal that you are investing in a pest-free home.
Note: Older homes are susceptible to pest problems.
8. Basic inspection
Whether you’re a veteran or a first-time home buyer, basic inspections can easily be overlooked when experiencing the types of home inspections you should consider. Large cracks in the exterior and interior walls, uneven floors, gaps between the wall and ceiling, or even doors that do not close properly are potential warning signs that there may be greater fundamental issues that are unnoticed.
9. Piping inspection
To prevent problems like sewer backups and water heaters failures, and to prevent homeowners’ nightmares, you can uncover the underlying issues by investing in plumbing inspections before creating a down payment. Inspectors will perform visual inspections or use diagnostic cameras to ensure that equipment and appliances are properly installed and to check for signs of flood damage under or behind the appliance.
10. Septic tank inspection
Like a plumbing emergency, malfunctioning purification systems can be spelled out with costly repairs (along with unpleasant odors) if they are not caught before contracting. A trained septic tank inspector will find and evaluate septic tanks, sludge layers and absorption areas to ensure that all components are functioning properly. If you are buying a home with a septic tank, always consider septic tank inspections.
Note: Homes in New England, such as Massachusetts, are most likely to have a cleanup system.
11. Radon test
If you are looking for a future home in an area where basements are common, requesting a radon test as part of your overall home inspection can help bring peace of mind. Nearly one in 15 15 homes in the US has increased radon levels, and the EPA recommends testing all homes at the radon level at the time of sale.
In most cases, you can request the results of the seller’s previous radon test as part of your home inspection and use it as a comparison point.
“Radon testing is important as it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States,” said Wes Grant, owner of New South Property Test.
Note: Midwest states like Iowa and North Dakota have increased radon levels.
12. Asbestos test
A house built before 1975 may have asbestos in its building materials. Asbestos testing must be performed by a certified asbestos removal company. If your inspector recommends deletion, make sure this is addressed before signing off your contract.
Note: East coast cities like Boston, which tend to have older buildings, are at a higher risk of asbestos exposure.
13. Pool or spa inspection
The pool is a great outdoor amenity, but if you don’t inspect the pool’s structure and equipment system, such as pumps, heaters and filters, it can cause many problems in the future. Beyond leak-free and solid, pool plumbing systems should be inspected to ensure that the water is properly drained.
14. Soil stability test
The condition of the soil around the property can play an important role in determining whether the foundation of the house is adequately supporting the soil surrounding it. After all, you don’t want a part of the hill where your future home sits to slide down during the storm. Soil analysis by trained experts helps prepare you for potential problems in the Hillside living and tests the probability of erosion, ghillie, or mudflow due to soil shifts.
15. Lead-based paint inspection
Older homes built before 1978, and even later homes, may contain dangerous lead-based paint. Even low levels of exposure can cause health problems, especially if you are buying a home with young children. Specialists will check for skins around the house, lack of paint, and collect samples to be tested in the lab for the presence of lead.
16. Crawl Space Inspection
A home with crawl space in humid areas like Seattle, Washington, must be a strong candidate for crawl space inspections. Crawl space, mold, wood rot, and even termite invasion can lead to moisture condensation as the space becomes more and more humid. Experts will identify signs of a rotten crawl space and avoid making costly mistakes.
“It’s essential that this space is inspected,” says Richard Gaines, a home inspector in San Diego. “Health and safety are my main concern and all of these issues directly affect the health and safety of the home and its residents.”
17. Sewer inspection
Sewer inspections play a key role in ensuring the functioning and integrity of your new home’s sewer system. These inspections include a comprehensive assessment of sewerage and components to identify potential issues or defects.
“Sewer maintenance is often overlooked, but can be very expensive to repair or replace,” says Amanda Ables of Noble Property Inspections. “Sewer coverage is visual inspection of plumbing and sewer systems to identify defects and damage. Common issues discovered during sewer coverage include breakage, leakage, abdomen, collapse and clogging of the sewer.”
18. WDO Testing
WDO inspection, short for “wood-destructive organisms” inspection, is an important assessment conducted by licensed experts to assess the presence of pests that can damage the timber structure of homes and buildings. These inspections focus primarily on identifying termites, carpenter ants, wooden beetles, and other wood-destructive insects that may impair the structural integrity of their properties.
Tyler Quintard of Odyssey Home Inspection suggests that homeowners need a variety of businesses to perform WDO and general inspections. “These tests should be performed by two inspectors at any time. Due diligence should always be performed when identifying the right expert for each of you who has the interests of your trustee in mind.”
