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9 HIDDEN TRAPS UNEARTHED BY AN EXPERT BUILDING INSPECTOR

hidden building defects

There are many hidden building defects that are not obvious to a property buyer but could be catastrophic to your financial planning. The good building inspection find these hidden building defects before the final handshake for the property. 

1. Fire Hazards:

There are many ways in the house with which fire hazards can happen. A good inspector will try to check all like electrical equipment, heating, faults wiring, accumulation of combustible materials, and residential furnishing near electric switches.

2. Faulty smoke alarms:

There can be many reasons for faulty smoke alarms in a building, such as dust or insects covering or clogging the sensor chamber. Generally, when you are renovating your house, terminals may be loose or poorly installed in the smoke alarm. Changing batteries should be done timely.

3. Smoke alarms installed in the wrong area:

A house must have working smoke alarms installed as you do not know that fire will start from which place. Modern furnishings nowadays used can develop and spread fire more quickly. Therefore, placing smoke alarms should be in each sleeping and the rest of your home. If you live on more than one multi-story, you should have smoke alarms on every level.

4. Mold:

One has to be very careful about mold because it is associated with damp buildings which can lead to health issues with occupants like nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, wheeze respiratory infections. The best way to find mold in the house is to see it. A good building inspector with experience can do it in a better way.

5. Termites:

Termites can damage a lot in buildings by eating internal structures. The building inspector must find this as termites can havoc on the building. There are many ways to find termites in your house, like hollow walls and timbers. Knock on the wall at your home; if it sounds hollow. That means termites are present in your building.

6. Rats and other Vermin:

You have to very careful while living in your houses because two things that attract mice and rats in your home are food and shelter. In cold weather, they need shelter and food waste on the floor. There are many ways to find out if there is a rat in the house by seeing rat droppings, rat holes, footprints, and rub marks along skirting boards and walls.

7. Roof void or attic:

It is the area or space that you have never checked or seen. It all depends on your construction some time do not have one. A good house inspector will see if the roof is well supported, any leaks, roof insulated, and are timbers in a good shape.

8. Sinking foundation:

It is mostly that expansion of soil results in foundation movement which, can cause your building to sink. Said house constructed on a sinkhole can also result in building a foundation. For safety’s sake, it’s always worth having your building double-checked.

9. Asbestos:

According to the data: the latest asbestos-caused cancer cases are increasing at an alarming rate. There are many things in the house where you can find asbestos-like decorative material, the old house, hot water, steam pipes, boilers, etc. To correct asbestos contained material one should do it under professional testing not to repair their own.

A competent building inspector will unearth these hidden building defects which can be costly for potential property buyers.  Building Inspection Council connects you with an expert building inspector of your area free of cost. For free quotes, click here

hidden building defects