By Lisa Johnson


Before buying a home, it is important to take due diligence. One of the things you should not forget is to carry out a house inspection. This procedure involves examining the house and its systems. By performing home inspections RI residents can avoid purchasing a house that has severe structural defects or other issues.

Many real estate agents refer their clients to certain property inspectors. However, consumers should consider interviewing several inspectors and then choose the one they are most comfortable with. Conflicts of interest can occur when a real estate agent always works with a particular inspector. Property inspections are important because they help consumers to avoid unexpected costs in the future.

A property inspection will disclose defects found in the house. One of the things that the inspector will check for is the presence of pests. The inspector will let you know if there are wood boring insects in the home. He or she will also inform you if there is dry rot at any particular location in the dwelling or any condition that can lead to problems in the future like wood that is in direct contact with the soil.

The inspector will also evaluate the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Furnaces should be serviced and cleaned regularly. If either the heating or cooling system is not functioning well, an HVAC professional can be called in to take them apart and determine the cause of the issues. The HVAC professional should also give you an estimate of the cost of repairs or replacement.

Inspectors also check is whether a property has lead based paint. The federal government passed laws banning the use of this kind of paint in 1978. However, some houses built later than 1978 still have lead based paints. If a house contains such paint, then is it important to hire a contractor who can remove it.

The other structure that inspectors examine is the roof. They are able to determine if the roof is in good condition and how many more years it will last. The inspectors also inform their clients how much they can expect to spend on roofing repairs or replacement.

Many areas in the U.SA have radon gas. Therefore, the home inspector will also check for the presence of this gas in the home you want to buy. Radon gas may build up in enclosed places. Testing areas like basements for radon is essential. If a house has a high level of radon, it could cause serious health issues.

If a home has a septic system, the property inspector will also examine it. Septic systems have tanks that collect solid waste and drain fields that dissipate the waste water. The property inspector can perform a simple dye test to determine if the drain field is functioning properly. In order to check entire septic systems, the inspectors can have the tank pumped out and then examine it visually. These professionals also check if a house has mold and if there is a buried oil tank on the property. They also test the quality of well water in properties with wells. When an inspection report is good, the prospective buyer can proceed to purchase the home. Otherwise, he or she can either ask the seller to fix the problems or search for a different property.




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