An Informational Step By Step Guide To Pre Purchase House Inspections
Thursday, November 24th, 2011
When looking for a company to perform pre purchase house inspections it is a good idea to know what is being looked at. The inspectors will look at many items and some of these include the roof, doors, foundation, windows, walls, ceilings, kitchen and bathrooms.
The first thing to examine is the doors to make sure the doors are true this means that they must be open and close properly. Another part that is checked is to see if the door properly latches to the striker unit and stays closed. In the event that the door has been shaved to fit the doorway the operation of the door might be hindered.
Checking the windows will entail the opening and closing them to ensure they work properly. Also the windows are inspected to see if there is any moisture buildup and in the case of wooden designs the frames are inspected for warping. The glass is also inspected for cracks or damage.
The walls and ceiling areas are inspected for water damage as well as structural damage in the form of cracks. Mold stains are looked for as well because if moisture enters the structure it can cause permanent damage. The overall level of the ceiling to wall ratio will also be examined to make sure that everything is even and also to see if there has been extensive repairs made.
The bathroom fixtures are checked and are turned on and off so they can be checked off for working properly. The cabinet under the bathroom sink is checked in order to verify there is no water damage or leaky pipes. The kitchen will also have the pipes under the sink checked to verify that there are no leaks or damage. The cabinet above the stove is checked for proper ventilation as well.
During the inspection process the roof structure and overall condition are examined. If the roof dips at all there could be structural issues that will need to be replaced. Also the covering will need to be examined in an effort to ensure the coverings do not have any cracks or damage. The side water drainage spouts are also checked and made sure everything is working.
The area where the house meets the ground will also be looked at to verify there is no soil corrosion or other issues with the foundation. The exterior siding will also be checked as well. If the material is wood the walls are examined to ensure there is no sagging in the wooden planks. Also if the siding is brick the inspector will examine the mortar to verify everything is up to code.
Learn more about pre purchase house inspections in our guide to how and where to find the best property buyers agent and all you need to know about property investment options in Australia.