The trusted professionals in home inspection
Local Home Inspection in Loveland, Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor, Estes Park, Boulder, Longmont,
Larimer, and Weld
Below are some of the items we most commonly find when inspecting a
home:
Many foundations are cracked or damaged due to poor soils and
bentonite clay
Problems with roofing material are the single most common defect we
find. Usually it doesn't mean the roof needs replacement, simply that it is
in need of maintenance or repair. If the roof has major defects or is
nearing the end of it's life expectancy, We will recommend that a roofing
contractor of the buyer's choice evaluate the defects and give estimates
on repair or replacement.
Caused by past or present leaks, ceiling stains are very common. It can
be difficult to tell whether the stains are from leaks still present, or were
caused by leaks which have since been repaired. To make a more
accurate evaluation, we look for related staining in the attic, pinpoint
possible causes on the roof and flashings, probe stains with a moisture
meter, and document with digital photos.
Caused by being wet for extended periods of time, most commonly found
around tubs, showers and toilets inside, or roof eaves and trim outside.
There have been many class action lawsuits over hardboard siding. About
90% of the homes in suburban Colorado built since the 70's have
Many water heaters are not installed in full compliance with local
plumbing code. Some water heaters are nearing the end of their life
expectancy. Water heaters have an average life of 12-15 years. Water
heaters can also have drafting problems which can allow deadly Carbon
Monoxide into the home. We check hot water heaters with a CO detector
when we suspect problems. It is very common for Hot Water heaters to
have natural or propane gas leaks. We test them with a combustible gas
detector when we suspect leaks.
Many gas furnaces are in excellent condition. Still, some need routine
maintenance such cleaning, lubrication and filter replacement. Older
furnaces may need certification by an independent HVAC service
company. Many have other issues such as faulty operation or inadequate
fire clearance as well.
Plumbing issues commonly found include dripping faucets, leaking
fixtures, slow drains etc... Even in brand new homes, it is common to
identify minor plumbing defects.
Most common in older homes, but often found in newer homes as
well. Electrical hazards come in many forms, from ungrounded outlets
to wiring done incorrectly by the homeowner.
Many homes today have been built with trusses - prefabricated
structural assemblies that hold up the roof and the top floor ceilings.
Trusses are a series of triangles fastened together with gusset plates.
The outside members of a truss are called chords while the inner
pieces are known as webs.Truss uplift occurs when the top chord of
the truss expands while the bottom chord contracts due to changes in
humidity. Truss uplift usually becomes visible in a home during the
winter when the bottom chords (the ceiling joist part of the truss),
which are buried under ceiling insulation, stay warm and dry but the
top chords are exposed to moisture. The resulting stress causes the
truss to lift up at its center. When this happens, a crack can appear at
the wall/ceiling juncture. Contractors can mask truss uplift by securing
the ceiling drywall to the top of the interior walls and not the trusses
for 18 inches away from the interior walls. As the drywall flexes, it
stays fastened to the walls while the trusses lift above it. From a
structural standpoint, truss uplift isn?t a problem, but cosmetically, it
can cause cracks and separations in the drywall. Many homeowners
try to repair the cracks with drywall compound, only to have them
reappear next year. Decorative molding can also be installed where the
walls meet the ceilings. The molding should be fastened to the
ceilings, not to the walls so as the ceiling move up, so does the
molding thereby hiding the gap.
Common Defects
"No house is perfect. Even the best built and best maintained homes can have a
few items in less than perfect condition."