Common Home Inspection Issues November 2019

How can you prepare for a home inspection?

We’ve gotten a little behind on this recently, but we’re here to make up for lost time. Below are some common findings from our Jacksonville, FL home inspections during the month of November. Most of the items are simple, inexpensive fixes that can be corrected before the home inspector finds them.

1. Vegetation in contact with or overhanging the roof

Vegetation such as trees, shrubs, vines, etc. are often found overhanging the roof surface or contacting the roof. Organic debris such as leaves or needles are likely to accumulate in gutters and on the roof surface. Gutters can overflow and cause water to come in contact with the building exterior or water can accumulate around the foundation. Vegetation in contact with the roof can damage the roof surface and/or the roof drainage system. Pruning vegetation back so that it’s not contacting or overhanging the roof is always recommended.

2. Soffit screens

Soffit vents help with attic ventilation and the vent screens keep unwanted animals and pests from entering the attic. It is important to keep these screens intact and free of debris, such as paint, to allow sufficient attic ventilation.

3. Open slots at the electrical panel

Slots in the electrical panel, where circuit breakers are normally installed, are often not properly covered. Because of this, energized equipment is exposed, which is a potential shock hazard. Filler plates, made for this purpose, should be installed to protect from electric shock. These plates can be found at most big-box hardware stores.

4. Float switch at the air handler

We came across some missing and inoperable float switches during our home inspections last month. A float switch shuts off the system if water accumulates in the pan to prevent flooding in the event of a drain clog. The switch is activated if water in the pan rises to a certain level. You can see how this is a very important feature, especially if your system is located in the attic.

5. Water shut off handles

Damaged main water shut-off handles can be a big deal. Reliable operation of the main water shut-off valve is important in an emergency situation, such as a plumbing leak. The faster you can turn off the water in an emergency situation, the better. As home inspectors, we always recommend these to be replaced.

Can You Fail a Home Inspection?

Simply put, no. A home inspection is a visual examination of the current condition of the home. It is not an appraisal, and it is not a code-compliance inspection. Home inspectors do not pass or fail a home, but instead report on the home’s overall condition and point out any systems or components that may need repair or replacement. You can find more common issues at the following links: January 2019, February 2019, June 2019.