Signs of Damage in a House
It’s so easy to get distracted by the cute barn doors, the recessed lighting, and the shiplap walls – that we miss the water damage on the roof! Luckily, the inspection period is written in the contract to give buyers a chance to hire a licensed inspector to assess the property. However, it’s important to know the signs that something may be wrong before getting too invested in a home.
Here’s a great article discussing what a home inspection is, when it happens, how much it costs, what exactly happens at a home inspection, and what a home inspection report includes: https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/mortgages/home-inspection/
Here are some signs that there may be big problems with a house.
Signs of roof damage:
- Cupped, curled or warped shingles
- Lots of shingle granules in the gutters
- Cracked or broken tiles
- Missing sections
- Mismatched roof sections
- Ceiling stains
- Sagging roof deck
Signs of foundation damage:
- Visible cracks in exterior or interior
- Door jams/doors not shutting
- Gaps on top of doors when closed
- Windows not square
- Wall corners not square
- Cracks in driveway or sidewalks
- Drainage not pointing away from the house
- Large trees with roots close to foundation
Signs of water/mold damage:
- Water stains on ceilings and walls
- Cracks around windows
- Bowed roof
- Visible mold
- Musty smell
- Missing caulking or tile in baths
- No bathroom vents
- Wood rot around doors and trim
- Peeling paint
Signs of electrical damage:
- Exposed wires
- Warm outlets
- Damaged or rusted electric panel
Signs of plumbing damage:
- Water stains in sinks, toilets, bath
- Low water pressure
- Screeching when turning on/off
- Slow drains
- Bad odors from sinks