How Some Minor Things Become Major

By John McKenna

AMERICAN HOME INSPECTION

Here in Texas we have a lot of houses built in the rural areas that sometimes have little problems that don't appear to be much at first glance.  Hey, this is easy country living out here.  That is until the home Inspector shows up. Man!!! ... that Guy can cause problems.  Or... perhaps he is actually heading off bigger problems before they get here.

I don't specify what items are only minor in my report, so don't worry about it, but communicate that the items are in need of repair or not working properly.  The reason why is because some minor things can become major problems really fast if left to without correction.  I let the Client decide on each issue after we have discussed each item together.  I can save a Client thousands of dollars just by walking around the house and talking about the needs of a house, he may not see.

If the roof has leaves on it, they can rot out sections of the roofing or cause the roof to leak.  A tiny moisture penetration around the door seal can rot the door & door jam, warp or stain the flooring (the carpet or flooring damage means replacing the whole room, if you don't like the idea of walking into the main part of the house with a patch job on the floor... and the door damage can cost a chunk of change also).  Moisture seeping around the Kitchen sink can rot the Kitchen counter and damage the sheetrock under the sink.  Improper flashing and caulking on the roof or wall trim outside, can allow just enough moisture to create some real nasty mold issues (in some cases, mold can start to form in 24 hours).  That AC unit that does not get it's regular service check and cleaning can really spread some moisture around, when that little AC drain drain line clogs up.  The little spindles on the stairs or porches, that are too far apart, can allow the grandchild to fall through when your not looking.  The lack of GFIC electrical safety plugs in the Bathroom might have saved that teenagers life in the Bathroom. Poorly insulated pipes can break from freezing conditions sometimes and release a lot of water when they thaw out.  The poor drainage and high soil in the flower bed can allow moisture and termites to enter the walls, and may never be noticed until the damage is really severe.  The wood pile next to the house can breed termites in huge numbers, and then infest your wooden frame inside the home.

I could list more, but you get my point.  If you don't follow the logic or don't know what can create a problem, it looks very little and nit picky to the untrained eye. If you were an Inspector and had to pay for some of these problems, it would really open your understanding of how little things can cost a lot of money real fast.  People have a tendency to play down the little things in the inspection report, but may be creating the bigger problem faster than they think.  Some think that they can do the repairs themselves, and the problem is delayed, but not corrected, because they did it wrong or half way.

If the Seller and the Agent get together to have some problems fixed by "Johnny Fix-It" ... then when the little patch job goes bad, and the expensive outcome is created... "Where's Johnny?"  Are the Seller and Realtor going to go back to the house and make the repairs again, along with the bigger problems that developed?  I doubt it.

This is why most Inspectors recommend that items be repaired by qualified Professionals.  Some items that are minor can become major before you know it.  Oh... and I have not even mentioned the "S" word yet.  You know the word we all hope we never hear.  "I'm going to "SUE" you". 

Fix it right, when it's a little problem and sleep better at night.  Lawyers can really make little things turn big, in ways you can't even imagine.  Once the problem is fixed right, you don't have to keep looking back and worry any more. Then you can enjoy that good country living, with some ice tea on the front porch, Texas style.

John B McKenna is a Certified Master Inspector serving the East Texas area. John has been licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and appoved by TREC as an inspector trainer. He has more than 25 years experience in the construction industry and is certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI). He continues to update his yearly education and testing requirements. Visit his company website at www.texas-inspection.com, or call his office at 1-888-818-4838 (Toll Free) for more information.  
 
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