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Top 10 Most Common HomeTop 10 Most Common Home
DefectsDefects
Presented byPresented by
National Association ofNational Association of
Certified Home InspectorsCertified Home Inspectors
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home DefectsHere are examples of the top ten most commonHere are examples of the top ten most common
defects found during home inspections. Whiledefects found during home inspections. Whilecommon. Most of these defects can be easily,common. Most of these defects can be easily,and inexpensively, fixed.and inexpensively, fixed.
If left unattended to, these conditions can only getIf left unattended to, these conditions can only getworse and lead to much more expensive repairs,worse and lead to much more expensive repairs,and in some cases, structural failure or fire.and in some cases, structural failure or fire.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects1.1. Foundation: DrainageFoundation: DrainageThe houseThe houses foundation should not be covered ands foundation should not be covered and
be visible for at least 6be visible for at least 6 for brick walls and atfor brick walls and atleast 8least 8 for siding and stucco walls.for siding and stucco walls.
Gutter downspouts should lead away from theGutter downspouts should lead away from thefoundation at least 6 feet, 10 feet is better.foundation at least 6 feet, 10 feet is better.
Covering the foundation can lead to water infiltration,Covering the foundation can lead to water infiltration,insect intrusion, rot, mold and structural failure.insect intrusion, rot, mold and structural failure.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects
1.1. FoundationFoundation
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects
1.1. FoundationFoundation
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects
1.1. FoundationFoundation
True Story:
Brand New4,400 SFHouse
With A BIGHiddenProblem
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects
1.1. FoundationFoundationNice brickplanter at the
front covers thefoundationsweep wickswith 3 of soil.
The result?
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects
1.1. FoundationFoundation
Rotted Rim Joist and Sill Plate in 4 Months! $36,000 fix!
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects
2.2. Electrical DefectsElectrical Defects
A houseA houses electrical system can cause thes electrical system can cause the
most dangerous problems if it is notmost dangerous problems if it is notproperly and professionally installed andproperly and professionally installed andmaintained.maintained.
Always have any electrical work done by aAlways have any electrical work done by a
licensed and insured electrical contractor.licensed and insured electrical contractor.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. Electrical PanelsElectrical Panels Location, InaccessibleLocation, Inaccessible
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. Electrical PanelsElectrical Panels Owner RepairsOwner Repairs
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. Electrical PanelsElectrical Panels Double TappingDouble Tapping
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. Electrical PanelsElectrical Panels Double Tapping MainDouble Tapping Main
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. NonNon--Professional / Homeowner WiringProfessional / Homeowner Wiring
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects2.2. ElectricalElectricalAnimal ProblemsAnimal Problems
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects3.3. RoofRoof
Roofing problems are common, and the mostRoofing problems are common, and the mosteasily dealt with. Make sure that alleasily dealt with. Make sure that allroofing work is done professionally androofing work is done professionally andproperly.properly.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects3.3. Roof DrainageRoof Drainage
New House
Builder Saved$20.00.
Buyer LostRoof in 2
Years!
All upperdownspouts
must drain tolower gutters.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects3.3. Roof DrainageRoof Drainage
12,000 SF
House.Downspoutdrainingdirectly ontocedar shakeroof.
Note the
shake curling.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects3.3. Roof LeaksRoof Leaks
Quick Fix for LeakyRoof
Owner tries quickrepair withelaborate siphon
system.Wound up ruiningthe bedroom
ceiling because thebucket filled andbroke through.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects3.3. Roof Deck Rot Due To MoistureRoof Deck Rot Due To Moisture
Lower gable attic, roofdecking old, butserviceable
Upper gable attic, roof
decking rotted and soft.Upper attic had un-ventedbathroom exhaust fan.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects4.4. HeatingHeating
Heating systems are most commonlyHeating systems are most commonly
plagued by the lack of the proper amountplagued by the lack of the proper amountof combustion air. Make sure that theof combustion air. Make sure that thefurnace has an adequate source offurnace has an adequate source of
combustion air. The rule is 10 cubic feetcombustion air. The rule is 10 cubic feetof air for each cubic foot of gas burned.of air for each cubic foot of gas burned.
Without exterior venting, a 100,000 BTUWithout exterior venting, a 100,000 BTUfurnace requires a room 25 X 25 X 8 at afurnace requires a room 25 X 25 X 8 at aminimum!minimum!
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects4.4. HeatingHeating -- Insufficient Combustion AirInsufficient Combustion Air
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects4.4. HeatingHeating -- Insufficient Combustion AirInsufficient Combustion Air
Yellowing flame
means carbonmonoxide isbeing produced.
Beware offurnacesinstalled inclosets that do
not have anexterior airintake vent flue.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects4.4. HeatingHeating -- Insufficient Combustion AirInsufficient Combustion Air
Failed heat
exchangercaused byinsufficientcombustion
air.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects4.4. HeatingHeating -- Insufficient Combustion AirInsufficient Combustion Air
Brand new
high efficiencyfurnace.
Improperlyinstalled.
Note missingcombustion airvent on left.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects5.5. Improper Maintenance and RepairImproper Maintenance and Repair
Always have all house repair done byAlways have all house repair done byprofessional, licensed and insuredprofessional, licensed and insuredcontractors.contractors.
Make sure that you are fully informed whenMake sure that you are fully informed whenyou make any doyou make any do--itit--yourself repairsyourself repairs
Most times, money you think that you areMost times, money you think that you aresaving, up front, is eaten up later.saving, up front, is eaten up later.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects5.5. Improper MaintenanceImproper Maintenance Owner RepairOwner Repair
Leaky sink
drain?What to do?
The Old
Diaper Trick.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects5.5. Improper MaintenanceImproper Maintenance Bad PlumbingBad Plumbing
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects5.5. NonNon--Professional RepairsProfessional Repairs
Nogrounding.
Wires notenclosed,not
waterproof.
Sinkelectrified!
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects5.5. HVACHVACOwnerOwner InnovationsInnovations
New andimproved,
superchargedwater heater.
The only smart
thing about thissetup is the fireextinguisher.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects6.6. Structural DamageStructural Damage
Structural damage is probably the mostStructural damage is probably the mostexpensive type of damage to repair. If notexpensive type of damage to repair. If notdone properly, your house can collapse.done properly, your house can collapse.
Structural problems, though rare, are usuallyStructural problems, though rare, are usuallyvery expensive to repair.very expensive to repair.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects6.6. Structural DamageStructural Damage
Floor joist cutto allow for
heating duct.Structuralintegrity of the
floor indanger.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects6.6. Structural DamageStructural Damage
Welding torchhole cut in
steel beam ingarage tofacilitate thegarage dooropener.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects6.6. Structural DamageStructural Damage
1875
Apartmentbuilding.
Centralfoundation atthe middle isfailing.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects6.6. Structural DamageStructural Damage
Old pier withwashed
away footingand CMUblocks set on
their sides.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects7.7. Plumbing ProblemsPlumbing Problems
Plumbing problems are most commonlyPlumbing problems are most commonlycaused by inadequate maintenance orcaused by inadequate maintenance orowner repairs.owner repairs.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects7.7. Plumbing ProblemsPlumbing Problems Water HeaterWater Heater
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects8.8. Water and Air InfiltrationWater and Air Infiltration
Water infiltration is, often, the most easilyWater infiltration is, often, the most easily
avoided house problem. Remember, to aavoided house problem. Remember, to ahouse, water is the enemy.house, water is the enemy.
Water in wood = ROT, regardless of the age ofWater in wood = ROT, regardless of the age ofthe wood. A brand new 2 x 4 canthe wood. A brand new 2 x 4 can
completely rot in 4 months if its moisturecompletely rot in 4 months if its moisturecontent is greater than 38%. Kiln driedcontent is greater than 38%. Kiln driedwood has a moisture content < 4%.wood has a moisture content < 4%.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects8.8. Water and Air InfiltrationWater and Air Infiltration
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects8.8. Water and Air InfiltrationWater and Air Infiltration
Thermal imaging to display ceiling water infiltration.
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects8.8. Water and Air InfiltrationWater and Air Infiltration
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects9.9. Crawlspace / Attic VentilationCrawlspace / Attic Ventilation
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects9.9. Crawlspace / Attic VentilationCrawlspace / Attic Ventilation
Clothesdryer vented
to Attic
6 month oldhouse
Rotten roofdecking
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects9.9. Crawlspace / Attic VentilationCrawlspace / Attic Ventilation
BathroomExhaust Fan
Vented to Attic
f
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects9.9. Crawlspace / Attic VentilationCrawlspace / Attic Ventilation
fT 10 H D f
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects9.9. Crawlspace / Attic VentilationCrawlspace / Attic VentilationWeird things found in attics and crawlspaces
T 10 H D fT 10 H D f t
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects10.10. NonNon--Inspected Construction DefectsInspected Construction Defects
Just because your house passed aJust because your house passed agovernmental code inspection, that is nogovernmental code inspection, that is noguarantee that it is free of defects. Codeguarantee that it is free of defects. Codeinspectors are overworked and buildinginspectors are overworked and building
codes are merelycodes are merely minimalminimal requirements.requirements.
Even brand new houses can have substantialEven brand new houses can have substantial
and expensive defects and safetyand expensive defects and safetyhazards!hazards!
T 10 H D f tT 10 H D f t
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects10.10. NonNon--Inspected Construction DefectsInspected Construction Defects
T 10 H D f tT 10 H D f t
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects10.10. NonNon--Inspected Construction DefectsInspected Construction Defects
T 10 H D f tTop 10 Home Defects
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects10.10. NonNon--Inspected Construction DefectsInspected Construction Defects
Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects10.10. Installation DefectsInstallation Defects
Hair dryer installed nearbathroom basin, againstmanufacturers instructions.
Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects10.10. Old / Defected Electrical EquipmentOld / Defected Electrical Equipment
Federal Pacific Equipment
Zinsco
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Top 10 Home DefectsTop 10 Home Defects
Thank you for yourThank you for your viewingviewing thisthis
presentation.presentation.
Please go toPlease go to www.mercedinspector.comwww.mercedinspector.comfor information about scheduling a homefor information about scheduling a home
inspection.inspection.