Accurate Home Inspection of Atlanta           www.findmeaninspector.com

The bottom line,is this:  All new homes have defects, regardless of the competence and integrity of the builder or the construction supervisor.  If this were not the case, the essential imperfection of humanity would be disproved.  Some new homes have repair lists that are long, while other lists contain only a few items.  In most cases, defects are minor in nature, but serious problems, such as violations of safety requirements, are not uncommon.  A home inspector can spend three or more hours searching for construction errors in one home; a municipal inspector cannot. 

A home inspector can spend an entire workday inspecting just two houses; a municipal inspector cannot.

MOST COMMON DEFECTS Found:

Electrical - Insufficient overload protection to the electrical service and amateur (and often dangerous) wiring connections are the most common issues. Electrical system problems are safety related and require immediate attention.

Inadequate Insulation & Ventilation in Attic - Poor insulation and poor ventilation causes excessive utility costs and lack of occupant comfort. In an effort to save energy, many homeowners have "over sealed" their homes, resulting in excessive interior moisture due to inadequate ventilation. Significant moisture and excessive heat build-up within the attic cavity can lead to rapid shingle deterioration, Mold build-up, peeling of exterior paint, rusty nails, energy losses and rotting and failure of both structural and non-structural elements.

Whole House is Poorly Maintained - Deferred maintenance represents a potential high cost situation to bring the home back into satisfactory condition. If the homeowner did not properly care for the home, someone will need to upgrade the home sooner or later.

Heating/Cooling System Defects - Improper installations, inadequate maintenance, exhaust and combustion issues, aged components, and malfunctioning controls are the most frequent.

Roof Issues - Improperly installed and aged surfaces occur frequently. I frequently find poorly installed or missing flashing at the transition areas. Repairs may be simple or (at times) the entire roof may need to be replaced.

Minor Structural Damage - Minor structural damage means the house is not likely to fall down, but you should deal with the problem before it becomes more serious. Such damage is usually caused by water seepage into the foundation, floor joists, rafters or window and door headers are found unstable. First you need to fix the cause of the problem (a leaky roof or improper drainage outside the foundation,for example), then repair or replace any damaged structural members. Inadequate caulking or weather stripping is most common. Obviously, the more extensive the damage, the more expensive it will be to repair.

Plumbing Issues - The most common defects are deteriorated cast iron, leaking and outdated problematic systems like polybutylene and galvanized piping and any incompatible piping materials. Repairs can often be made by a licensed Plumber but on occasion total system replacement is the only solution.

Poor Drainage around the Structure - All water needs to drain away from the structure at its perimeter to prevent water intrusion into the basement. Roof gutters and extended downspouts can sometimes be installed to rectify any site drainage problems. Grading (sloped away from the foundation) is also very important in this situation.

Air and Water Penetrating Cracks and Window Perimeters at Exterior - Foundation cracks and separations at basement windows can allow water into the wall cavities which is conducive to Mold growth.

Minor Structural Damage - Cut, modified and broken trusses, rafters and floor joists are often found in attic cavities and on occasion I also find structural components missing. Usually carpentry repairs are needed, however I find it is rarely an imminent safety hazard.

Termite and other wood destroying organisms - Due the local environment and conducive conditions. All wood boring insect damage can absolutely be corrected. Costs will depend on how excessive the insect damage is.

Fire safety issues - Related to Electrical issues and fireplaces & wood stoves are often neglected.