Common Issues Found in Full Home Inspections

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding what to expect from your full home inspection report will help you prepare for the next steps in the home-buying process.
• Inspectors look for major issues with the home’s drainage, grading, electrical systems, plumbing, and roof. 
• Once you receive your inspection report, it’s up to you whether or how to continue with the purchase of the home.

A full home inspection is part of the home-buying process. It typically occurs after the price has been agreed upon by the buyer and seller, but before the closing. Buyers typically cover the cost of a professional home inspection, which checks for major roofing, electrical, plumbing, or other structural issues. 

In this post, Tiger Home Inspection professionals explain some of the most common issues found during full home inspections in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Understanding what to expect will help you prepare for the rest of the sale, including whether or not to continue.

Common Issues Found in Full Home Inspections

Home inspectors look at a property’s safety, structural integrity, and potential issues that could lead to costly repairs for the buyer.

In New England, some homes are much older than others and have their own sets of problems. However, that doesn’t mean new construction homes are less likely to require major repairs. The cost of the repairs will depend on the extent of the problem. For example, a few broken roof shingles are usually easy, quick, and cheap to fix, whereas an entire roof replacement is expensive.

Here are some of the most common issues you might see in your full home inspection report. Once you receive the report, it’s up to you what the next steps will be.

Grading & Drainage

The most common issue encountered is poor grading and drainage, which often leads to even worse problems, such as cracked slabs and water penetration in the basement. In many cases, the property may require regrading and the correction of gutters and downspouts to ensure that water drains farther away from the foundation. These repairs can be quite expensive and extensive.

Roofing

Massachusetts roofs are often subjected to harsh weather conditions, including nor’easters, heavy snow loads, and ice dams. Common issues found during full home inspections include roof leaks caused by aging or damaged shingles and improper flashing around chimneys or in valleys. Repairing damaged tiles and shingles, as well as re-caulking roof penetrations, tends to be a straightforward and cost-effective process. 

Houses built in the early 1900s usually have slate roofs, which were popular at the time. Slate roofs were built to last 75 to 100 years, which means they may now need a full replacement.

Electrical

Many homes in Massachusetts were built before modern electrical codes, which can lead to safety risks like fires and electrocution. Your home inspector will check the electrical panel, wiring, circuit breakers, and outlets for proper grounding.

One major concern is knob-and-tube wiring, used in homes from about 1880 to the 1940s, which is now considered obsolete and unsafe. Removing and replacing knob-and-tube wiring can cost from several hundred to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the extent of the wiring and the home’s size.

Other common electrical issues include:

• Insufficient service
• Outdated aluminum wiring
• Improper outlet grounding
• Unprofessional wiring connections
• “Double taps” in breaker boxes (where two circuits connect to a single breaker)
• Lack of GFCI outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoor areas

Plumbing

Common plumbing problems include leaks under sinks and around toilets, often caused by the wrong plumbing materials, broken seals, or rusted pipes. Home inspectors may also conduct a flow test to check water pressure. While minor repairs may cost a few hundred dollars, addressing major water damage can be significantly more expensive.

Older homes typically have galvanized water mains, which can lead to poor water pressure due to corrosion. This could require a whole new plumbing system throughout the house.

Structural

New England’s harsh winters can cause ground shifting and frost heave, leading to potential structural or foundational damage in homes. Your inspector will assess the foundation, as it supports the entire structure. They’ll also look for cracks wider than ½ an inch or signs of settling that may indicate more serious issues, as well as signs of water penetration that could lead to mold or attract pests. These major foundation problems can be quite costly to repair. Older homes, especially those built before 1900, are more susceptible to frame or foundation rotting, increasing the risk of expensive damage and pest infestations.

FAQs: Common Issues Found in Home Inspections

Q: What can I do after I get my home inspection report?

A: As the buyer, you have four options after receiving your home inspection report:

1. Request that the seller make repairs. Note that the seller is under no obligation to comply with your request.
2. Ask for a credit or price reduction. The seller may agree to a lower price for the house so you can use the savings to make necessary repairs.
3. Walk away from the deal. If you and the seller can’t agree on repairs or a price reduction, you can always cancel the sale.
4. Take the house as-is with no price reduction or credits. This is most common if the issues are minor or easy to fix.

Q: Who pays for the repairs?

A: That depends on your agreement with the seller. Sometimes, a seller will pay for requested repairs. Other times, the buyer will pay for repairs after the closing. Speak with your real estate agent about negotiating the cost of repairs.

Award-Winning Home Inspection Services

Tiger Home Inspection has provided professional home inspections to buyers and sellers throughout Eastern Massachusetts, the Greater Worcester area, the Cape and the islands, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire. 

Contact us at 1-800-628-4437 from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. 7 days a week with all your home inspection questions and to learn more about our range of services. See why the eye of the tiger has been trusted for over 20 years!