Little Things in an Inspection
Why do home inspectors point out little things that might not seem to matter?
Home inspectors, in addition to simply telling you about your home (slab foundation, copper water pipes, gable roof with composition roof covering, etc.) also tell you their areas of concern. Some of these areas of concern are termed "major defects," things that need to be corrected fairly quickly to prevent injury or major property damage.
Here are some examples of "little things" that home inspectors regularly get complaints about (and which we keep reporting on anyway):
Cover screws were pointed. Pointed screws can pierce electric wires, resulting in electrical shorts which can result in equipment and appliance damage, personal injury, and fires.
Small holes in stucco or gaps around siding penetrations (gas pipes, cable and telephone wires, etc.). Condition can allow unwanted wildlife, particularly ants and wood-destroying pests, to intrude into the framing and structure interior, creating a health hazard and causing unseen property damage. Gaps around pipes can result in damage to the pipes and siding, and pipes could begin leaking.
Loose exterior wires. There are circumstances where children have been injured or killed from strangling on loose wires.
Absence of Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter over kitchen counters. GFCI have been shown to be a safety factor in the home. Too many injuries and deaths nationwide have been attributed to not having this life-saving appliance installed.
These "little things" may not seem important at first, but they can lead to real problems later. Knowing about them in the beginning can help to plan for immediate corrective action...and no surprises down the road.
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