Categories Home Inspection

9 Problems You Shouldn’t Overlook in New Homes

New Homes

Many people wrongly assume that new homes don’t need home inspections, because, well, they’re new.

However, that’s not the case! Even the most qualified builders make small mistakes, and city inspectors are only checking that local building codes meet the minimum safety standards—they’re not looking at the quality of construction nor do they care about any cosmetic flaws.

After enduring the long process of finding a home wouldn’t you want to pay a little extra for a private inspection to ensure your new place is in the best condition possible?

Although brand new, here is a list of some common issues in new homes.

1. Foundation

The soil level around the house should be a minimum of 6” below the brick and 8” below siding or stucco.

2. Attic Ventilation

To extend the life of your roof covering and guard against mold and moisture build-up, your attic should be properly ventilated. However, attic insulation is usually installed incorrectly.

3. Misplaced Anchor Bolts

These bolts secure the bottom of the frame walls to the concrete slab or stem walls and are only visible if your home has a crawl space. Often they are placed in wet cement without regard to the placement of doors or windows.

4. Gutter and Downspout Placement

Upper roof downspouts should not drain to lower roofs as excessive water can destroy the lower roof. Downspouts should extend at least 6’ away from the house’s foundation, or you’ll find yourself with a flooded basement.

5. Problems with Stairs

Most common in exterior stairs are the issues with correct measurements and proper run. Additionally, problems can be found with the handrail, which should always be between 30-34 inches.

6. Botched Plumbing Installation

Unfortunately, some plumbers will do anything to get the pipes installed—even compromise the structure of the home to do so. Cuts are made in joists, stud walls and even the foundation; and cannot be seen once the house is completed.

7. HVAC Installation

Whether it was poor planning on the part of the builder or a design flaw made by the architect, improper HVAC installation can have a huge impact on the house’s structure. Structural joists should never be touched unless a licensed structural engineer has assessed it.

8. Electrical Defects

Thanks to the growing size of new homes, miscalculations and confusion can be made when it comes to planning the electrical aspects of the home. New, large homes have special requirements.

9. Bad Luck

Unfortunately, even with the best building and design team, things get confused, and plans don’t match. Home inspections can help you from dealing with the headache of a toilet too close to a door, an electrical outlet near the floor or lights placed too close to the ceiling. These are all cosmetic flaws as well as potential safety hazards.

We Can help

If you just bought a house or are about to buy, save yourself stress and money by scheduling a professional home inspection with us today! Leverage our decades of experience to put your mind at ease when it comes to finding a great and safe home for your family.

 

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Categories Home Inspection

Don’t be Fooled by these Home Inspection Myths

Home Inspection Myths

In the U.S. about 5 million homes undergo inspections each year. As with any large, and growing, industry, there are plenty of falsehoods being circulated and unfortunately, many people don’t know what’s true and what’s just a myth.

While a majority of homes sold receive an inspection, the misconceptions persist. Stick with us to learn what rumors aren’t worth the stress.

 

Myth #1: New homes don’t need inspections.

You can see a list of reasons why new homes need inspections too, here. The main point is though that faulty construction can lead to a number of issues in the future and it’s not uncommon to find a couple of dozen problems during the inspection of a brand new home.

 

Myth #2: Every nook and cranny will be inspected and scrutinized.

A home inspection is a visual inspection; nothing will be dismantled to check efficiency, but rather a few covers or access panels will be temporarily removed to inspect. However, the focus will be on the most essential and high risk areas.

 

Myth #3: Having an appraisal, code inspection, and termite or other hazard inspection cancels the need for home inspection.

While the others are important, they should not be used as a substitute for a full home inspection. Rather each of these inspections should be used as compliments to each other.

 

Myth #4: Inspections only benefit the buyer.

Most inspections are done on behalf of the buyer, but they don’t only benefit the buyers. Prelisting inspections can be hugely beneficial for sellers, and you can schedule one with us here! Additionally, it is recommended that a home undergoes an inspection every ten years regardless of a sale taking place.

 

Myth #5: Inspectors are too fussy.

Professional home inspectors do not point out every small defect or issue. Professionals, like the ones at EIG, are providing an objective examination of the accessible and visible components of a home on the day of the inspection.

 

Myth #6: Inspections are done to flip the negotiation process.

False! Inspectors are giving an educational service, allowing buyers to have a better understanding of the physical state of the home so that they may make smart decisions.

Inspections can actually help eliminate buyer anxiety. When areas of concern are presented, the inspector will not assist in any decision making.

 

Myth #7: There’s no difference between home inspectors.

Possibly the most important falsehood to dispel is the value of an inspector does not matter. Experience, knowledge, and thoroughness are all incredibly important aspects you’ll want to consider when choosing your inspector.

Our experience at EIG speaks for itself; we are aiming to bridge the gap between homeowner and inspector by improving all aspects of an inspection.

 

The Take-Away

Understanding these myths and knowing what to look for when planning your home inspection will allow you to get more out of the inspection process.

Let the pros take care of you today and schedule your own home inspection with EIG!

We have made the scheduling process easier and stress-free. Get in touch with us here!

 

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Categories Home Inspection

Common Questions About Home Inspectors

Home Inspectors

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to feel like a real estate master after spending months studying loans, neighborhoods, hours of online house hunting, and reviewing contracts.

But when it comes to the ins and outs of a home and how it functions there’s only one person that can truly serve as an expert: the home inspector.

Home inspectors are the ones who shimmy through crawl spaces, climb up on roofs, and because of this completely hands on approach, they can tell you everything you need to know about your home.

Home inspectors and home owners only come into contact once in a blue moon, so choosing the best inspector and understanding the process can be confusing, no doubt.

If you’re looking for a home inspector now and could use a guide in choosing, check out one of our first posts on how to recognize a great inspector.

Today we want to clear up some common questions and confusions regarding home inspectors:

1. Do States license and regulate home inspectors?

Yes, most states do. In Texas, there are three levels of an inspector license and require classroom training as well as inspections.

The highest level of home inspection licenses requires a combo of 128 hours in the classroom plus one year of real estate experience or an extra 200 hours of classroom training plus guided and indirectly guided home inspections.

At EIG we have a unique mix of backgrounds, ranging from experience in real estate to banking. If you’d like to learn more about our team, you can look here.

We’re proud to offer you high quality inspection services!

2. Many home inspectors have formal education.

As mentioned above, home inspector training programs are extremely thorough and give inspectors all the necessary tools.

In addition to the training, many inspectors have real life experience working in real estate, construction or even appliance repair.

Most is learned on the job and through apprenticeships, but if you book with EIG, you can be sure that we have ample training and experience. Don’t be afraid to ask us about our specific training and educational background!

3. National and State Associations have uniform industry guidelines.

The first industry standards were created long ago by national and state home inspector associations.

Association memberships requires a commitment to a code of ethics as well as following the Standards of Practice.

Associations are wonderful resources for home inspectors as they host and organize national conventions, offer the opportunity to continue education, and ensures that your home inspector is following the rules of procedure and ethics.

Make the right moves

If you’re about to begin the process of moving or buying a home, then you should be thinking about the right home inspector for you.

At EIG we have a team of qualified professionals who are committed to fill the gap when it comes to communication between homeowner and inspector.

We know we will be able to identify any potential issue and answer any questions you have so that you learn in the process as well.

Schedule an inspection with us today, and we’ll show you a great inspector!

 

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Categories Energy Savings, Home Inspection

Problems With Skylights and How to Avoid Them

Skylights

Skylights can be great because they can connect your home to the nature around it. Giving you a flood of natural light and awesome views of starry nights, what’s not to love?

However, like most things in the home skylights can run into some issues.

Many building experts view skylights as the weak link in the chain of the home because they are exposed to extreme temperature and pressure.

What Could Go Wrong?

Some of the most common and known problems with skylights are water leakage, but other issues arise such as:

  • excess daylight, glare and UV (ultra-violet radiation) damage 
  • energy loss
  • overheating
  • roof ventilation problems
  • ice dams

What Causes These Problems?

Normal wear, poor installation, and location of the skylight are all catalysts for problems.

  1. Many skylights use gaskets and deck seals or flashing, and over time they are susceptible to the typical wear and tear. Regular re-flashing and re-sealing can prevent water leakage.

 

  1. A skylight that has been properly installed will rarely fail in the first few years, but one that hasn’t been done well will show problems fairly quickly. Keep an eye on skylights with low levels of insulation or sealing on the underside of the skylight.

 

  1. Skylights placed in bathrooms are not a good idea. This is a room with high-humidity, and the large amounts of condensation can lead to cracks and serious moisture problems.

In addition to these issues repairing the skylight can be an issue in itself.

Due to awkward locations and placements being able to reach the skylight to repair can be a rather burdensome task. While inconvenient, it’s not impossible.

What Can I Do?

Although most of the problems we’ve discussed today are out of your control, some issues stem from poor homeowner care. Thanks to inconvenient placement many people put off cleaning their skylight.

However, you should strongly considering hiring a professional service like a window cleaner to get the skylight for you. Regular upkeep will extend the life of your skylight.

If you’re unable to contract a pro, don’t worry, there’s plenty you can do to take care of your skylight! Before getting started, you should find out what material your skylight is made out of; they aren’t made out of glass like typical windows, but rather acrylic or polycarbonate.

Cleaning them with household window cleaners or ammonia could destroy them.

What Can I Use?

  • Liquid dish soap
  • Long-handle dry mop
  • Auto wax
  • Cleaning cloths or clean rags
  • Power washer (outside of skylights only)
  • Cellulose sponge or long-handled cellulose sponge mop

Make sure you have a safe and sturdy path to the skylight then remove all the dust and debris, wash the windows, and finish by applying a thin layer of auto wax to the clean, dry window.

We Want to Hear From You!

Have you come across any of these issues with your skylight? Have you attempted to clean it yourself? Let us know about your own experience!

If you have any doubts about any issues in your home today, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

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Categories Home Inspection

Things Your Inspector Wants You to Know

home inspection, home, inspection, buyer, seller, inspector, basement

After years of working in the industry and hundreds of experiences with inspections, buyers, sellers, etc. we at EIG have realized there is a gap when it comes to communication between homeowner and home inspector. 

 

That’s why we’ve dedicated our company mission to bridging the gap and improving the home inspection experience. 

 

Home inspections are a big deal, for sellers this could be the confrontation of the maintenance issues you neglected over the years.  

 

For buyers, an inspection can lead to heartbreak if a report finds the home is not worth buying. 

 

While that sounds scary, our intention is not to frighten you, but to keep you informed.  

 

With that being said there are a few golden rules that every home inspector wants homeowners to know before starting the process. 

For Sellers 

 1. Mind Your Pets

Be sure to leave them in a crate or at a friend’s house during the inspection. Not only is it distracting, it could be dangerous.  

 

During the average inspections doors, gates, windows, etc. will constantly open and close, giving your pet an easy opportunity to escape. 

 

 2. Get Rid of the Clutter 

While it’s not totally necessary to have a spotless home for the inspection (an inspector won’t care if your stove is dirty) you do want to make sure there are no barriers that prevent entrance into different rooms.  

 

Allowing the inspector to have easy and quick access to all rooms, including basement and attic, the experience will be smoother for everyone. 

 

3. Schedule a Playdate 

If you have babies or small children, it’s a good idea to get them out of the house during the inspection too.  

 

If you can get a family member or friend to watch them at a different location that would be ideal.  

 

If not and they must be at home then be sure to keep an eye on them—remember, lots of opening and closing of different doors and gates. 

 

For Buyers

1. Stay Calm 

There will be problems with the new home, don’t panic! Not all issues are critical, and we will help you decide which ones are more serious and which are easily fixed.  

 

2. Don’t Ignore Water Problems 

I know, I know—we just said not to freak out. But if you see leaky ceilings, puddles or any water related issues in the basement you may want to think twice about the purchase.  

 

Water damage or problems can be expensive and difficult to address. 

 

3. We’re Not Psychic 

Although we do know an awful lot about homes, unfortunately, we can’t predict the future.  

 

Home inspections are visual inspections, and we can’t say exactly when something will need to be repaired or exactly how much it will cost, but we can give you rough estimates that will be helpful in your decision making process. 

 

Don’t let an inspection stress you out! We’re here to help make the process easy while making sure you’re as knowledgeable as possible about each step. 

 

Stop wasting time and get in touch with us today to schedule your own professional home inspection!  

 

 

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