REQUEST AN INSPECTION
Home Inspections, Inc.
24 Hours | 7 Days a Week
(727) 786-9444
| Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee, Hernando |
Home Inspection
>Why get an Inspection
>Pool/Spa Inspections
>Environmental Inspections
>Senior Home Inspections
>Inspection Service Area
>Inspection Services
>Four Point Inspections
>Wind Mitigation Inspection
>HGTV Home Inspection
Video
>Meet our President
>View our Testimonials
>FAQ
>ASHI Code Of Ethics
>News
>Press Release
>Contact
Homeowner/Buyer
>Average Repair Cost
>Home Buyer Checklist
>Mortgage Calculators
>Inspection Report
Articles
>Most Common Defects
>HVAC Issues
>Hidden Water Damage
>Newsletters
>Why get an Inspection
>Pool/Spa Inspections
>Environmental Inspections
>Senior Home Inspections
>Inspection Service Area
>Inspection Services
>Four Point Inspections
>Wind Mitigation Inspection
>HGTV Home Inspection
Video
>Meet our President
>View our Testimonials
>FAQ
>ASHI Code Of Ethics
>News
>Press Release
>Contact
Homeowner/Buyer
>Average Repair Cost
>Home Buyer Checklist
>Mortgage Calculators
>Inspection Report
Articles
>Most Common Defects
>HVAC Issues
>Hidden Water Damage
>Newsletters
Copyright 2009, AAA Advanced Home Inspections, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
WE SPEAK HOUSESM
| CLICK HERE To Request a Home Inspection via the website and get an automatic$20 off. |
Click on the Logo to Verify
Home Inspection Services are available in the following Counties:
PINELLAS | HILLSBOROUGH | PASCO | HERNANDO | MANATEE
A good home inspection takes time, experience and knowledge.
PINELLAS | HILLSBOROUGH | PASCO | HERNANDO | MANATEE
A good home inspection takes time, experience and knowledge.
Certified Inspector
Common Issues found during a Home Inspection: No home is perfect and these are the
most common problems we come across during a Home Inspection.
most common problems we come across during a Home Inspection.
No house is perfect. Even the best built and best maintained homes will always have a few items in less than perfect
condition. No matter if your home is in Clearwater, Tampa or Bartow, some of the items that we most commonly find
when inspecting a Florida home are:
condition. No matter if your home is in Clearwater, Tampa or Bartow, some of the items that we most commonly find
when inspecting a Florida home are:
Roofing and Leaking Roofs: Problems with roofing material are the
single most common defect we find. Usually it doesn't mean the roof
needs to be replaced, simply that it is in need of maintenance or repair.
If the ceilings have water damage, older or damaged shingles or
improper flashings may have caused it. Its inexpensive and relatively
easy to repair shingles and small amounts of flashing, but if the roofing
is old, you may face a much larger expense to replace the whole thing.
Ceiling stains: 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.
Electrical hazards: 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.
Rotted wood: Caused by being wet for extended periods of time,
Rotting wood is most commonly found around tubs, showers and toilets
inside, or roof eaves and trim outside.
single most common defect we find. Usually it doesn't mean the roof
needs to be replaced, simply that it is in need of maintenance or repair.
If the ceilings have water damage, older or damaged shingles or
improper flashings may have caused it. Its inexpensive and relatively
easy to repair shingles and small amounts of flashing, but if the roofing
is old, you may face a much larger expense to replace the whole thing.
Ceiling stains: 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.
Electrical hazards: 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.
Rotted wood: Caused by being wet for extended periods of time,
Rotting wood is most commonly found around tubs, showers and toilets
inside, or roof eaves and trim outside.
Water heater installations: Many water heaters are not installed in full compliance with local plumbing code.
Violations include inadequate strapping, substandard overflow piping, unsafe flue conditions, and faulty gas lines.
Gas furnace: Most gas furnaces seem to be in need of routine maintenance such as new filters or gas company
certification at the least. Many have other issues such as faulty operation or inadequate fire clearance as well.
Plumbing defects: The most common plumbing defects include old and incompatible piping materials and faulty
fixtures or waste lines. These may require simple repairs, such as replacing a fixture, or more expensive measures,
such as replacing the plumbing system itself. 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.
Violations include inadequate strapping, substandard overflow piping, unsafe flue conditions, and faulty gas lines.
Gas furnace: Most gas furnaces seem to be in need of routine maintenance such as new filters or gas company
certification at the least. Many have other issues such as faulty operation or inadequate fire clearance as well.
Plumbing defects: The most common plumbing defects include old and incompatible piping materials and faulty
fixtures or waste lines. These may require simple repairs, such as replacing a fixture, or more expensive measures,
such as replacing the plumbing system itself. 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.
Poor drainage: This is the most common problem found by home inspectors. To improve drainage, you may have to
install a new system of eaves, troughs and downspouts or have the lot re-graded to better channel water away from
the home.
Faulty wiring: An insufficient or outdated electrical system is a common problem, especially in older homes. This is
a potential hazardous defect and not to be taken lightly. You may have to replace the entire electrical system, or at least
part of it, to bring the home up to today’s standards of safety.
Unsafe heating system: An older heating system or one that has been poorly maintained can be a serious health and
safety hazard. You may have to repair or replace the old furnace. This is a major expense, but new furnaces are more
energy-efficient, which will probably save you money down the road. If your heating system is anything but electrical,
install carbon monoxide detectors in a couple of locations in the home.
Poor Maintenance: Examples of poor maintenance include cracked or peeling paint, crumbling masonry, broken
fixtures or shoddy wiring or plumbing. You can easily repaint a wall, replace a fixture, or repair a brick wall, but
makeshift electrical or plumbing situations are serious and potentially dangerous problems. Replace any such wires and
pipes.
Minor Structural damage: Minor structural damage means the house is not likely to fall down, but you should deal
with the problem before it becomes more serious. Such damage is usually caused by water seepage into the
foundation, floor joist, rafters or window and door headers. First you need to fix the problem (a leaky roof for
example) then repair or replace any damaged area. The more extensive the damage, the more expensive it will be to
repair.
Water and air around windows and doors: This usually does not indicate a structural problem, but rather poor
caulking and weather stripping that require relatively simple and inexpensive repairs around windows and doors.
Poor Ventilation: Poor ventilation can result in too much moisture that wreaks havoc on interior walls and structural
components. It can also lead to allergic reactions. Install ventilation fans in every bathroom if there are no windows
and regularly open all windows in your home. To repair damage caused by poor ventilation, you may only have to
replace drywall and other inexpensive finishes. If you have to replace a structural element, it will be more expensive.
Environmental hazards: Environmental problems are a new growing area of home defects. They include lead-based
paint (common in homes built before 1978).
install a new system of eaves, troughs and downspouts or have the lot re-graded to better channel water away from
the home.
Faulty wiring: An insufficient or outdated electrical system is a common problem, especially in older homes. This is
a potential hazardous defect and not to be taken lightly. You may have to replace the entire electrical system, or at least
part of it, to bring the home up to today’s standards of safety.
Unsafe heating system: An older heating system or one that has been poorly maintained can be a serious health and
safety hazard. You may have to repair or replace the old furnace. This is a major expense, but new furnaces are more
energy-efficient, which will probably save you money down the road. If your heating system is anything but electrical,
install carbon monoxide detectors in a couple of locations in the home.
Poor Maintenance: Examples of poor maintenance include cracked or peeling paint, crumbling masonry, broken
fixtures or shoddy wiring or plumbing. You can easily repaint a wall, replace a fixture, or repair a brick wall, but
makeshift electrical or plumbing situations are serious and potentially dangerous problems. Replace any such wires and
pipes.
Minor Structural damage: Minor structural damage means the house is not likely to fall down, but you should deal
with the problem before it becomes more serious. Such damage is usually caused by water seepage into the
foundation, floor joist, rafters or window and door headers. First you need to fix the problem (a leaky roof for
example) then repair or replace any damaged area. The more extensive the damage, the more expensive it will be to
repair.
Water and air around windows and doors: This usually does not indicate a structural problem, but rather poor
caulking and weather stripping that require relatively simple and inexpensive repairs around windows and doors.
Poor Ventilation: Poor ventilation can result in too much moisture that wreaks havoc on interior walls and structural
components. It can also lead to allergic reactions. Install ventilation fans in every bathroom if there are no windows
and regularly open all windows in your home. To repair damage caused by poor ventilation, you may only have to
replace drywall and other inexpensive finishes. If you have to replace a structural element, it will be more expensive.
Environmental hazards: Environmental problems are a new growing area of home defects. They include lead-based
paint (common in homes built before 1978).
Fireplace, Chimneys: Fireplaces and chimneys are often unsafe. Common causes are amateur installation of
hardware and fixtures, exterior rust damage, or simple failure to call a chimney sweep.
Code Violations: Code violations are common where additions and alterations are built without permits. Sellers often
boast that, "We added the garage without a permit, but it was all done to code"... This is a red flag to most home
inspectors.
hardware and fixtures, exterior rust damage, or simple failure to call a chimney sweep.
Code Violations: Code violations are common where additions and alterations are built without permits. Sellers often
boast that, "We added the garage without a permit, but it was all done to code"... This is a red flag to most home
inspectors.