I will be conducting a new home inspection next week what defects should I be looking for?

Answer 1

proper slope and grading outside off house,no cracks or trip hazards in walkways or pavemant and driveway,no foundation cracks,outside wall coverings should not be bulging ,cracked or paint peeling,drain pipes or downspouts should have splash blocks under them,if it has a cesspool or septic tank check for any unusual vegetation growth,like taller weeds or grass in certain areas could mean a leak,porches or decks with more than 2 steps should have handrails,steps should be of equal height and width, inside no sagging or pitched floors,no cracks in walls,cheack all appliances for correct operation and how old they are,run water and check for leaks and water pressure,flush toilet at the same time that water is running in the tub or sink to see if pressure is lost check toilet for stability,check for a window or and exhaust fan in bathroom,check floor coverings for wear and tear,check lighting fixtures and outlets ,check doors and windows check electrical box and wiring, check plumbing and furnace,water heater should have a pressure relief valve and catch basin or tray, check roof for leaks ,cracks,missingshingles etc.check chimney for cracks and spark arrester, check garage for firewall if it attached to the house and a safty door should have at least 1 step up to house to help prevent fumes from entering house, check air conditioning units,check the houses insulation, thats the basics hope it helps.

Answer 2

Are the walls as on the blue prints - 2 x 4 or 2 x 6? Are the walls square (nothing is 100% but if a corner is off by more than 1/16, multiply that around your windows and doors!)? Are there full 2 x 12 headers above each and every window - do they extend beyond the length of the actual window so you can install window coverings into framing and not into sheet rock? Are all the pipes covered or are some open for a full inspection, look at how the plumber sweated the joints together. What type of attic ventilation is there really up there? Is there enough space between the siding on the outside of the home and the back-fill surrounding the home to allow for proper moisture evaporation (dirt, lawn, landscaping not touching wood anywhere - even the garage). Is the landscaping allowing drainage away from the house? Do all of the faucets work? do all of the toilets flush, does the shower/bathtub actually drain quickly?

Remember - every state, practically every city has different building codes but before you sign that dotted line....

Does this give anyone out there a heads up BEFORE buying a house?

Answer 3

If the home is newly built and you are the first resident you should check:
Living room
doors and locks (operating and shuts and opens correctly for alignment), windows (for opening and closing), any cracks or paint missing on the walls or ceiling.
Kitchen
garbage disposal and all appliances working and hooked up
be sure to run the water and check for leaks under the sink
silicone sealed along the back splash
no loose tiles or cracks
all trim and molding is in place
Bathrooms
run water and make sure all pipes are free of leaks
toilet is operational and not wobbling
shower and bath faucets work and properly silicone sealed on the edges and along the floor.
no cracked or loose tiles
ceiling fan operational
Garage
door opener operational and infra red sensor works to stop the door from closing when something is blocking the door
General walk along the home to look at siding, paint, foundation are all free of defects.

Later on you can check roof and gutters and crawl in the attic to check for proper insulation and venting. Oh yes, make sure the vent and fan in the bathroom lead outside the house and not in the attic or above the drywall in the bathroom ceiling.
Better to be knit-picky than be sorry afterwards.

Answer 4

I cant list all of the things you will need to look for here.
If you dont know, You need to hire a certified inspector to make the tour with you. there are way too many things you can miss without the untrained eye. A structural engineer with a inspection certificate is even better!
Good luck on the new home.

Answer 5

1) Mold

2) Cracked Foundation

3) Nuisance Neighbors