New Home Nightmares: Most Common New Home Defects
by Joe Cline
After you have the home you wish to buy inspected by a professional home inspector, you probably think that you are in the clear. Although home inspections can reveal obvious problems with your future home, a home inspection is a cursory inspection at best. As a new home owner, you will probably face a few problems when you move in. Be sure when you get a home inspection you deal with a qualified inspector: ask others in your aread for recommendations. Make your home inspection worth the money you pay for it. If you anticipate a few problems, you will be able to handle the basic challenges of owning a home. Home ownership can be difficult when things go wrong, but the rewards of owning your own home far outweigh the negative aspects of home ownership.
1. Problems With Plumbing
When home inspectors check out the plumbing, they probably give the toilet a flush and turn on the faucets to make sure that the water is flowing. If there are any major problems, you are left to find them on your own. Plumbing seems to have its own personality. It is unfortunate that there is not more open communication between buyer and seller, because often times these problems could be avoided. Some plumbing systems require that you use special toilet paper. The previous owners probably know this and have learned this the hard way. The garbage disposal in your new kitchen might work perfectly well, as long as you do not try to grind up eggshells. Treat your plumbing system cautiously at first, until you get to know its quirks.
2. Wiring Issues
Because most of the wiring is behind the wall, it can be difficult to tell whether or not all the wiring in a home is in good condition. This is one reason that wiring issues are a common problem in a new home.
3. Windows
Home inspectors usually just check to make sure windows can be opened and shut. They do not check for drafts. Even new windows can be improperly installed, which can lead to high heating and cooling bills.
4. Water In Basements Or Crawl Spaces
Unless your new home is inspected on a rainy day, it is unlikely that the home inspector will be able to determine whether or not your basement or crawl space has water leakage problems. Unless there is standing water or a musty smell, you will probably have to wait for a rainy day to determine whether or not there is water damage. Water damage can weaken your foundation over time, so if this is not discovered, you could have a serious problem on your hands.
5. Problems With Heating Or Air Conditioning
Depending on the time of year that your new home is inspected, you could have undiagnosed problems with your heating system or air conditioning system. If your home is inspected in the summer, you could have problems with your heating system that are not noticeable. The same goes for your air conditioning system if your home is inspected during the winter. These are issues that will only arise with time. As a new homeowner, problems will come up. Be prepared for the five most common problems.
About The Author
Joe Cline writes articles for Austin real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Cedar Park Homes and Austin Texas real estate agent can be found on the net. The author invites you to visit: http://www.affinityproperties.com
Article Source: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_5358.shtml