8 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection

 If you’re planning on selling your home, you will likely be having it inspected prior to the sale. If you want to pass a home inspection, here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Your Basement Needs to be Dry

A damp or musty basement can be a deal killer for some buyers. They don’t want to purchase a home that may have flooding or mold issues. So, make sure your basement is in good repair prior to the inspection date.

2. Your Roof Needs to be in Good Shape

If your shingles are damaged or worn out and the result is a leak into the home, this can lead to problems when it’s time for the home inspection. The inspector will look for the presence of water spots or stains on the ceiling or walls. If you did at one point have a leak but have since repaired or replaced the roof, you want to be sure that’s noted in your disclosure so the buyer isn’t frightened away by the presence of old water spots.

3. Your Plumbing Must be in Good Repair

If you have any leaks or clogs in your plumbing, you need to get it fixed before the inspection takes place. Likewise, water that has an odor or an off color might indicate unusual levels of minerals or other issues that can eventually lead to trouble, so make sure you have any such issues addressed before the inspector ever sets foot in your home.

4. Check for Deficiencies in Your Electrical System

If you have performed any repairs or installations of an electrical nature, you need to have a licensed electrician review them now to be sure they are up to code. If they are not, this might cause your home to fail the inspection. Other things to keep in mind include the location of outlets and whether plugs are grounded or not, as an ungrounded plug can be scored as a safety hazard on the inspector’s report.

5. Make Sure Your Furnace is Up to Par

Nobody wants to purchase a home only to have to turn around and install a new furnace. Given that a furnace is expected to last around 20 years, replacing them is a costly event. To make sure your furnace passes the inspection, it’s good to ensure that the heat exchanger is in good shape and free of rust. If you have had maintenance or repairs done on the unit, provide the receipts or records showing this.

6. Check Out Your Masonry Work

If you have a chimney or other masonry work, you want to be sure the cement is in good shape. Masonry work with cracked or crumbling cement can lead to leaks or—worse yet—the collapse of the chimney onto the roof. If the masonry work is in bad shape, it may be necessary to have the structure rebuilt in order to pass the inspection.

7. Is Your Attic Dry?

Too much dampness in the attic can be a sign of slipshod ventilation or insulation problems. This can lead to mold in the attic, which can cause severe health issues for the occupants of the home. If you find some mold, you need to locate its source and repair it. Buyers will almost always inquire about this, so be sure that you have taken steps to be able to confidently state that the attic is free from problems.

8. Look at Your Woodwork

The frames of windows and doors can sometimes develop a condition known as dry rot. The wood will begin to crumble and disintegrate even though it appears to be dry. And of course, if the wood is constantly wet, you can develop other forms of rot. Regardless of whether it’s wet or dry, wood that is suffering from deterioration can cause you to fail your inspection, so have it looked at by a professional carpenter.

Aside from windows and doors, other spots that can lead to problem include wooden decks, trim, and any other surface made of wood. Keep in mind that merely repainting it will not suffice: a home inspector will often probe recently-painted surfaces to determine how sound they are, so you need to have it repaired if it is there.

Conclusion

Selling your house is an exciting part of your journey to a new living arrangement. In order to make sure everything goes off without a hitch, it’s best to be prepared for the home inspection. By taking some time now to ensure that your home passes, you can avoid hiccups and costly delays down the road. If a repair must be made, it’s best to do it now as opposed to rushing it through when a contract is pending.