If you’re a property buyer, investor, or homeowner, then you should know that building inspections are crucial to making your purchase a success. A building inspection helps determine potential problems in the property or building and give you a rundown of the current conditions. Many issues that lie in a new or existing building can’t easily be identified when you walk through and need expert eyes to identify some that are more inconspicuous than others. It’s important to hire professionals who can conduct a thorough evaluation of the property with a detailed building inspection report so that you are fully aware of what you are purchasing.

If you are considering buying a new home or are looking to list your property for sale, be aware of the most common issues seen in building inspections. We take a look at some of the most common issues found in these inspections so you’re aware of what might be common defects before you make a property purchase decision. 

Plumbing Problems

Plumbing problems are one of the most common issues found in homes, as most of the time, even the owner isn’t aware of the issue. Leaky pipes, mould, and other plumbing-related problems can significantly impact your water bill and cause further issues down the track. On top of this, it is almost impossible to fix these issues yourself and the cost of repairs can go up to thousands of dollars depending on the severity of the pipe damage.

Roof Damage

After leaking pipes comes leaking roofs, and oftentimes these are the trickiest ones to fix if a building inspection isn’t there to identify it beforehand. Roof damage from cracked roof tiles, rotten beams, damaged gutters or damp roof structures can really affect the property’s value and overall safety of the homeowner. Because roof access can be dangerous, you need professionals to inspect this area and identify any roof damages that might need immediate repair. 

Inadequate Ventilation

While lack of ventilation may not seem like a significant issue, it can lead to a range of other problems within the property. Under-house ventilation might not be something you think about but it is important in keeping airflow throughout the home and preventing potential issues like mould, rotting wood, damp and water damage.

Pest Infestation

Another common issue building inspectors find is pest infestations. Most people might say it's obvious to spot but a lot of the time these pest infestations are hidden in places you would not expect and can be much worse than it may first appear. Pest infestations such as cockroaches, rats, mice, bed bugs and termites can cause both health problems as well as structural problems to the property. 

Wall Damage

Whether it's internal or external crackings on the wall, these hairline cracks can have moisture penetrating through them and cause damage in the surrounding area of the wall. Commonly, minor cracks are found between ceiling and wall junctions and can appear for a range of reasons such as faulty building material, soil excavation, invasive roots, or simply degrading structure. Sometimes a simple filler can fix the problem but in a serious situation, these wall cracks can be alarming.

Only a professional and experienced building inspector can identify the severity of the problem. If you ignore serious wall cracks, you may find yourself with uninhabitable or condemned property.

By being aware of the most common issues seen in building inspections, you can prepare your property for a home inspection and have some understanding of these issues. It’s best to contact a trusted and qualified building inspection company for a proper and thorough evaluation of your property that can address these common issues professionally and expertly.