A home inspection is one of the most important steps in the home buying process, and should not be skipped. As a Long Island home inspector, we will cover all major systems, both inside an out. This includes a thorough electrical inspection.
An electrical inspection will identify whether or not the home is safe. Additionally, it will determine if the electrical system is compliant with current building codes.
Electrical Inspections: What to Expect
When you find your dream home, it is normal to feel nervous about what a home inspection will uncover. Obviously, the electrical inspection is an important part. Any electrical failures can be highly unsafe for you and your family. As a result, regulations for electrical systems are complicated and thorough in order to keep your home safe.
All home inspections take some time to complete. Think about it: with hundreds or thousands of feet of wire in a typical Long Island home, there is a large amount of possible issues. Every connection and receptacle in your new homes wiring can be a potential problem. Additionally, pests or wear and tear can damage wires. In order to be thorough, New Home Inspectors will work through an electrical system checklist. We will provide you with a clear view of this major home system prior to sale.
7 Common Issues Found During an Electrical Inspection
Major electrical issues in your potential new home can be daunting. Let’s face it: no home will be perfect. Your home electrical inspection will determine if the seller needs to correct the issue, if it’s something you can deal with following closing, or if you need to abandon the sale entirely.
At New Home Inspectors, we’ve seen it all in Long Island homes. Here are the 6 most common issues we find in a home inspection:
Ungrounded Receptacles
This is easy to spot, as the outlet will only have 2 slots. However, some ungrounded receptacles will have a 3 pronged outlets. Due to this, all outlets will automatically be tested.
Outdated Electrical Panels
Most homes on Long Island were built prior to 1990. As a result, updating the electrical panel may show up on your report.
Permanent Extension Cords
Extension Cords are meant for temporary use. When used on an everyday basis, this means there aren’t enough outlets. Typically, this is found in older homes. It is a safety concern that should be addressed prior to sale.
Exposed Lightbulbs
All lightbulbs must be covered or enclosed. Typically found in closets, exposed lightbulbs are a fire hazard.
Wrong Covers on Outdoor Outlets
Flat covers provide limited protection when not in use. What about when you have holiday lights up and there’s a plug in there around the clock? In order to protect against weather, a bubble cover is the correct cover for outdoor outlets.
Overlamping
While not a wiring problem, “overlamping” light fixtures is a fire hazard. This happens when a higher wattage lightbulb is used than what a fixture recommends. As a result, the fixture can overheat and start a fire.
Trees Touching Power Lines
Here on Long Island, you are likely to live in a forested area. A tree branch laying on a power line could potentially break the cable or the connection point. As a result, this can create a shock hazard or fire risk. Fortunately, PSEG will cut trees on power lines at no cost to the home owner under certain conditions.
Final Thoughts
Of course, this list of common electrical problems on a home inspection range from simple to more complicated fixes. If these are discovered in a home you wish to buy, then we recommend discussing with John about how to correct them, no matter how insignificant it may seem.
Electrical defects pose a significant injury and fire hazard and can result in costly repairs. To ensure a home’s electrical system is in good working order before you buy, schedule an inspection with New Home Inspectors. We offer extensive knowledge of the construction industry and fast turnaround on reports so clients can move forward with their real estate transaction in a timely manner.
Before buying or selling a house on Long Island, reach out to New Home Inspectors to examine the property. While it may seem appealing to save a couple bucks, a home inspection should not be skipped.
As a potential buyer, you can request repairs to be made before finalizing the sale. Evaluating the condition of the plumbing system is a major point on a home inspector’s checklist. For a better understanding of the process, below are a few plumbing red flags a home inspector will look for.
Common Plumbing Issues on a Home Inspection
1. Damaged Pipes
Cracked and corroded water pipes compromise the quality of the entire plumbing system. As a certified home inspector, we will examine the condition of the fixtures, noting any problems. In older homes, they might also recommend replacing outdated pipes to bring the property up to code. For example, galvanized pipes should be removed, as they contain lead and other materials that can contaminate the water.
2. Broken Toilet Seals
Leaking plumbing fixtures can cause mold growth, structural damage, and high water bills. During the walk-through, we will look for moisture around toilets. If the wax seals are broken, water can seep out of the fixtures and saturate the floor. An inspector will include a note that the seals need replacements in their report.
3. Drainage Problems
During your home inspection, we’ll run all fixtures and appliances in the building to assess the drainage. Additionally, we’ll inspect all of the visible drain lines for excessive corrosion and leaks at all fittings and joints.
Based on the age of the structure, John will advise you on proper maintenance to prevent future problems in your drainage system.
4. Clogged Sewer Lines
A sewer line clog is something that you definitely don’t want to have to deal with. If left without repair, it could lead to raw sewage backing up out of the drains. Obviously, this can cause considerable (and unsanitary) damage to your property. The problem with this is that it’s especially difficult to diagnose, and the pipework is underground.
Fortunately, the sewer line will show warning signs before it’s too late, like gurgling sounds and slow draining issues, along with a foul odor. Eventually, the wastewater will back up into your home since it has nowhere else to go, and you’ll begin to get very unpleasant spillages around the property.
Many things can cause sewer lines clogging, mainly broken sewer lines that fill with dirt and tree roots growing into the sewer line. We can identify these issues and make sure you’re aware of them before they become too severe.
5. Cross-Connection Issues
Cross-connection issues occur when the plumbing units permit contaminated water to enter back into potable water. If the usual pressure of the water system experiences disruption, and the water level is above the faucet with no air gap, back flow can occur. As a result, the home’s water supply becomes contaminated.
If the filtered drinking water becomes contaminated by your laundry or bathwater, the chemicals will make it unsafe to consume. This condition is common in older homes and DIY installations.
Many appliances come with back flow preventers already incorporated, but some will need to have back flow preventers installed. In fixtures that pose a more hazardous risk of contamination, the preventers should receive annual testing to ensure they’re working efficiently.
Our inspectors will look for any obvious cross-connection issues throughout the house during the inspection. They will examine appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, bathroom fixtures, and sump pumps.
6. Undetected Leaks in Walls
Hidden leaks in the wall, or under floorboards, are among the severest causes of water wastage in the country. In fact, the average household leak in the U.S. accounts for nearly ten-thousand gallons of wastewater each year!
These hidden leaks can persist for months, or even years, before anyone locates them. Most of the time, they’re completely silent, which makes them so notoriously hard to detect.
If leaks are left untreated for a considerable amount of time they can cause some very serious issues throughout the house, such as:
Foundation shifting: water is the number-one source of foundation movement. Leaks that persist for a considerable amount of time can erode the soil, causing foundations to shift and move.
Cracking: water leaks inside walls, or in basements and crawl spaces, can allow spot settlement. This causes cracks to form in exterior or interior walls.
Mold & mildew: one of the most common issues concerning water leaks is mold and mildew. It forms when mold spores in the air begin to form growth on wet surfaces. Mold and mildew can grow on surfaces where moisture exceeds twenty percent. Active mold growth in a house can lead to respiratory illnesses, allergic reactions, and asthma, among others.
Uneven floors: water leaks in basements, and particularly in crawl spaces, can cause settlement, which causes uneven floors due to issues like wood rot.
Fortunately, most of these leaks can go away with a quick call to a plumber. Most leaks are pretty easy to repair, and may be as simple as fixing a leaky faucet or one loose pipe. However, left without repairs, it can create a series of problems that can cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Final Thoughts
Of course, plumbing issues can be a major headache for any homeowner. However, at New Home Inspectors, our commitment is to identifying these issues well before they become a problem for you. When it comes to Long Island real estate, receiving a thorough, professional home inspection is the safest, easiest way to eliminate potential plumbing issues and restore your peace of mind. For more information, contact New Home Inspectors now!
Stairs to a shed roof??? I can’t figure out the mailbox? Unsafe things I see on inspections! Please always think about the children that may be involved.
