9 TIPS TO PREPARE FOR YOUR HOME INSPECTION
With a tighter Real Estate market, below are some cheap and fairly easy items to check and repair before a home inspector or pest inspector shows up to inspect your home. These are typical items that show up on reports. By checking these items, you can have a cleaner inspection on your home. Most of these items you can do yourself.
Kits can be bought at any hardware store for about $15.00. It is required by the seller to install the straps before the close of escrow. The straps are usually pretty easy to install but can require the water heater to be removed and then the straps installed. The kits come with directions for correct installation.
Make sure all smoke detectors are working. Smoke detectors should be installed within 15 feet of all bedrooms and there should be at least one on all levels of the home. Newer construction requires smoke alarms in the sleeping areas also. To make sure this item doesn't show up on an inspection, install smoke alarms outside and inside bedrooms and on all levels of the home no matter what the age of the home.
This is an item that shows up on most inspections. Stand in front of the toilet and put slight pressure on the front right side of the toilet and then the front left. If the toilet is loose you may be able to tighten the bolts. Don?t over tighten, as it can be easy to crack the toilet. It is also possible that the toilet will need to be pulled up and wax seal replaced. You may want to hire a Plumber or Handyman to repair this item.
Soil should be lowered from the wood siding or stucco weep screed at least 6 inches. When untreated wood and earth are very close there is increased risk of wood damage from moisture and or wood boring insects. Remove the excess soil, but in such a fashion as to not cause water to stand against the foundation. Water should always drain away at least 3 feet from the home.
Any plant growing on a home may eventually damage the siding and other parts of the home. Clinging vines can also create an environment for insects and other pests and may hold moisture against the home. Also the inspectors may not be able to inspect the entire exterior of the home due to limited access.
Excessive debris on the roof and in the gutters can limit the Visual Inspection. Typically the home inspector will recommend further inspection of the roof. It is best to use a blower to clean the debris off of the roof. Brooms or rakes can damage the roof shingles or granules. Use extreme care when on the roof. Roofs can be slippery. If you are hesitant about walking on the roof, hire someone to do the work for you.
Most houses have some scrap wood or debris under the home. This is always called out on a home inspection and termite report. We recommend that all debris be removed to a rake able size. While under the home, be sure to check for leaks on water and drain lines. Also check for separated heating ducts (if present) and or any other damage.
In the late 1990s GFCI type receptacles were required in all wet area. This includes within 72 inches from sinks and exterior outlets including in garages. Although these receptacles may not have been required when the home was built it will show up on the Home Inspection Report as a recommended upgrade. These receptacles generally cost about $20 each. You may want to hire an electrician or handyman to install the receptacles.
It is not uncommon to find a garage or room full of storage. Because the Inspectors cannot see all areas of the room or garage (walls floors etc.). Be sure locks are off all electrical panels or sub-area doors and that all sub-area and attic access doors are accessible. We will recommend a re-inspection if not. This can cost the seller of the home extra money to have the inspectors come back.