10 Most Frequent House Problems

10 Most Frequent House Problems

1. Improper surface Grading/Drainage This is the most frequent problem observed during a home inspection service. It is responsible for the most common household problems: water penetration of the basement or crawl space.
2. Improper Electrical Wiring A significant number of home inspectors chose this item as the most common home defect, which includes situations such as insufficient service to the house, inadequate overload protection and amateur wiring connections. This is a significant safety hazard that your home inspection service can uncover, and potentially save lives.
   
3. Roof Damage Roof leakage caused by old or damaged shingles or improper flashing, was considered to be a frequent home inspection problem.
4. Heating System Problems in this category identified by home inspectors include broken or malfunctioning operation controls, blocked chimneys, unsafe exhaust disposal and poor maintenance.
5. Poor Overall Maintenance This is demonstrated by such signs as cracked, peeling, or dirty painted surfaces, crumbling masonry, makeshift wiring or plumbing, and broken fixtures or appliances.
6. Structurally Related Problems Many houses, as a result of problems in one or more of the other categories, sustain damage to such structural components as foundation walls, floor joists, rafters and windows and door headers. Another significant problem that a good home inspection service should uncover.
7. Plumbing Plumbing defects rank high among the house problems encountered by home inspectors, and include the existence of old or incompatible piping materials, as well as faulty fixtures and waste lines.
8. Exteriors Flaws in a home’s exterior, including windows, doors, and wall surfaces, are responsible for the discomfort of water and air penetration, but rarely have structural significance. Inadequate caulking and/or weather stripping are the most common causes discovered in a home inspection.
9. Poor Ventilation Many home owners have over-sealed their homes in an effort to save energy, resulting in excessive interior moisture. Home inspectors identified this as the cause of rotting and premature failure of both structural and non-structural elements.
10. Miscellaneous This category includes primarily interior components, often cosmetic in nature.

Notes:

a) It is significant that home inspectors during the home inspection process found that four categories are directly related to water damage.

b) Categories relating to electrical and plumbing problems, and roofing in particular, will vary depending on regional climates and building codes.

c) In addition, the age of the home plays a significant role in these home inspection findings. In older, urban house problems such as heating system failure, inadequate electrical service, and worn plumbing can be found with much greater frequency than reflected in this home inspection survey.