Inspecting the Structure of Your House
From Financial Literacy Wiki
Inspecting the Structure of Your House
Inspecting the structure of the residential property before your purchase it is a necessary step but not a lot of people know what are the things to look out for. This is because there are thousand and one things to look out. The aim of this article is to provide you with a reasonable lists to inspect the structure of the residential property. Please take note that this list is not meant to be exhaustible.
General areas that you would should look out for:
- Structural Integrity (if applicable)
- Foundations, floorings, walls, ceilings (if applicable)
- Roof and attic (if applicable)
- Plumbing systems that includes fixtures, supply lines, drains and water heating devices
- Electrical systems that include service panels and ground-fault-circuit interrupters
- Gas pipes for leaks and integrity
- Air-conditioning
- Landscaping and drainage (if applicable)
- Doorways, doors (knobs and hinges) and windows
- Flood risk (if applicable)
- Security Systems (if applicable)
- Illegal extensions or fixtures
Some specific tell-tale signs that require further investigations are:
Cracks
Look at the ceilings, walls, windows, door frames and floor tiles etc for cracks. A few hairline cracks maybe naturally occurring settlement of the structure of the property over time but if there are large cracks then you should get someone to inspect it. Use your cameras to take pictures of it for record purpose because you never know if you need it later.
Water Marks
While looking out for cracks, take note of watermarks as well. Moisture intrusion can be a big problem if there is any. If there are watermarks, get someone to see find out the reason for its existence.
Plumbing Leaks
Preferably have a qualified plumbing contractor to check out possible sources of leaks or moisture. Take note of how the water pipes run in the house as well. Understanding the water system can greatly help you to foresee any future problems and anticipate the costs of it.
