8 Homebuyer’s Headaches To Avoid

1. Roof Leaks: Look outside at the roofing shingles. If the edges or corners appear deformed, wavy or curled, that roof will need the attention of a roofing contractor in the very near future. Look inside at all the ceilings, especially in the upstairs. Stains on the ceiling paint and any ceiling areas that appear to be patched or freshly painted, could be signs of past roof leaks. If you find any reasons for concern, call a local roofing contractor and ask their opinion. You can generally get some free advice and a free cost estimate on any possible repairs that are needed.

2. Termites, Carpenter Ants and other Pests: This is one area where it is best to have a professional do an inspection. Some visual things you can look for though are, small piles of sawdust on the floor alongside the walls. These are signs that insects may be burrowing inside the walls. Look outside at the exposed basement foundation for any long, raised mud tunnels, slightly thinner than a lead pencil. These are a sure sign of termites.

3. Surface Water Problems: Walk around the outside of the home. Pay special attention to the rain gutters. Look underneath the gutters at the ground for signs that they may be spilling over. Long straight lines of exposed gravel on the ground under the gutter areas, is a sure sign that they are either clogged or improperly installed.

Check where the downspouts empty the roof water. Ideally, they should be directed away from the home where they can drain away by gravity.

Look for areas alongside the home where the grass or leaves are flatted out. Look for dried water lines or mud lines along the outside exposed foundation. This is a sure sign of standing water caused by poor surface water management. Standing water can cause basement leakage and insect problems.

4. Foundation Cracks and Settling: While outside checking for surface water problems, check for any visible cracks in the outside foundation. Minor cracks are normal but more severe once can be caused by excessive settling. Look inside the basement at this point. Any cracks found wider than 1/16th of an inch, should be checked by a foundation repair professional. You can get some free advice and a cost estimate of any necessary repairs before considering if the home is one you want to buy.

5. Basement Water Problems: look along the perimeter walls inside the basement for any dampness along the base of the walls. Water usually leaves white powdery reside stains after it dries up. Look underneath the wooden basement stairs for water stains on the wood. Even when people add fresh paint to conceal basement water problems, it's unlikely that they would think to paint the underside of where the stairs meet the floor.
If in doubt, call a basement waterproofing professional for a free estimate and some free advice.

6. Plumbing Problems: One at a time, turn all faucets on and let each run for 30 seconds. Listen for any gurgling coming from the drain. Gurgling sounds are usually a problem of semi-clogged sewer lines or improper venting. Water should run quickly down the drain. Open all sink cabinets and look for any signs of leaking. Green stains on copper water lines are a sign of failed solder joints. Check over all the exposed copper water lines in the basemeLook up at ceilings underneath each bathroom, laundry room and kitchen for signs of leaks.

7. Exterior Siding Condition: If the siding is wooden, look for paint bubbling or peeling. Peeling paint usually means that the backside of the clapboards were not primed properly before installation. If this is the case, you can plan on repainting this house every 3 or 4 years.

Faded aluminum or vinyl siding can be repainted. Plan on spending a few thousand dollars on this type of upgrade. A properly prepared, primed and repainted siding job can last 20+ years, often longer than the original factory coating.

8. Water Quality: Look underneath the tips of each faucet and shower head for white chalky deposits. This is a sign of hard water. Look in all sinks, bathtubs, toilets and inside the toilet tanks for green, pink, orange or reddish stains. Green stains mean that the water has a high PH. Pink, orange and reddish stains mean that there is a high iron content in the water. A water softener and filtration system is the answer to these type problems. Companies that sell these type systems will usually test the water for free while they are giving you and estimate for water conditioning systems.

These are some quick tips you can use as you walk through the many various properties you look at in your search for the perfect home. In the end, you will probably want to call in a professional home inspector to do a thorough examination. Because a professional inspection can be a bit costly, save this last approach for homes you are seriously considering.

Good luck and happy house hunting!