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

A good real estate agent will be able to help you catch these things.

Ready to start looking for homes? Contact us and let’s get started!