Grading/Improper Surface Grading/Drainage
This was by far the most frequently found issue, reported by 35.8 percent of
the survey respondents. It is responsible for the most common household maladies:
water penetration of the basement or crawl space.
Improper Electrical Wiring
A significant number, (19.9%), chose this item as the most common issue. Which includes such situations as insufficient electrical service, inadequate overload protection, and amateur, often dangerous, wiring connections.
Roof Damage
Although reported by only 8.5% of the respondents as the most common issue, roof leakage, caused by old or damaged shingles or improper flashing, was considered to be a frequent issue.
Heating System
Issues in this category include broken or malfunctioning operating controls, blocked chimneys, and unsafe exhaust disposal.
Poor Overall Maintenance
Even the novice home buyer is usually aware of this situation, demonstrated by such signs as cracked, peeling, or dirty painted surfaces; crumbling masonry; makeshift wiring or plumbing; broken fixtures or appliances.
Structural Issues
As a result of issues in 1 or more of the categories, many houses sustain damage to such structural components as foundation walls, floor joists, rafters, and window and door headers.
Plumbing
Though not ranked by any respondents as the most significant problem, plumbing defects still rank high among issues encountered, and include the existence of old or incompatible piping materials, as well as faulty fixtures and waste lines.
Exteriors
Flaws in the home's exterior, including windows, doors, and wall surfaces, are responsible for the condition of water and air penetration, but rarely have structural significance. Inadequate caulking or weather stripping are the most common culprits.
Poor Ventilation
Perhaps due to overly ambitious efforts to save energy, many home owners have "over sealed" their homes, resulting in excessive interior moisture. This can cause rotting and premature failure of both structural and non-structural elements.
Miscellaneous
This category includes primarily interior components, often cosmetic in nature, which were not found frequent enough to rank individually in the survey, nor do they typically qualify to be reported on during the home inspection.
The above information was provided by the American Society of Home Inspectors. |
