If you’re on the market to buy an existing property… then it helps to have some basic knowledge of things you can look out for when you’re out inspecting properties.
Spotting obvious faults during an open house can quickly give you an indication of whether or not there are potential maintenance issues that you’ll need to take into consideration. For any house you’re interested in making an offer on, you should always get a qualified building inspector to properly inspect the property.
Building faults the average person can look out for
- damp brick walls
this can indicate that there is salt damp in the walls - blisters or bubbles on paintwork
can indicate termite activity or internal pipe-work leaking - water stains or corrosion to the walls backing onto the showers or baths
- broken tiles on the roof
this can lead to all sorts of internal problems if moisture is leaking into the roofing cavity
- land sloping down towards the home
if proper drainage for a storm hasn’t been implemented then it’s possible the house will flood in a heavy downpour - in-consistency in building materials
can sometimes indicate that non-qualified tradespeople have carried out the repairs/renovations/addition - saggy ceilings
- cracks in walls
- rust at the corners and joins of the guttering
- mold
a smell of damp, mould or mildew inside cabinets can be an indication of water leaks or even rising damp
Electrical wiring – old homes vs new homes
Times have changed, especially in this digital world we live in. Houses built decades ago will have an electrical wiring system that was adequate for that time. These days, especially with all the computers and tv’s and gadgets that we all have, a house needs to be properly equipped electrically to handle our needs. If an old house hasn’t had it’s wiring updated to today’s standards, it can lead to problems and can also be dangerous.
Here’s a few things you can look out for:
- Multiple power boards being joined together to provide enough power points for the devices that are being used
- Exposed wiring
- Old style of power board in the metre box
Getting a building inspector to confirm findings
This information is designed to equip you with some basic information so you can get a general indication of any stand-out problems when your inspecting a house. You should always get a qualified and experienced building inspector to provide a full report on any house you intend to buy.
As professional and experienced building inspectors, we can provide you with a photographed and detailed report on any and all problems, including advice on how you may need to handle each situation.
