Regular Home Inspections

Our cars get regular service appointments. Our bodies get annual physicals. Homes need regular attention as well. Scheduling a home check inspection in Philadelphia, PA, helps Mid-Atlantic homeowners stay on top of major home maintenance tasks and avoid potentially costly or unsafe situations down the road. How often are home inspections needed, and what aspects of the home should be inspected? Let’s take a closer look.

 

How often should a home be inspected?

A general recommendation is every five years. If it’s been more than ten years, or if you live in an older home, don’t wait any longer before scheduling a complete home inspection. Having a regular inspection every five years helps you keep tabs on the condition of your home. The information in the inspector’s report gives you the ability to plan and budget for major repairs and replacements ahead of time, so you aren’t surprised by unexpected problems.

 

What aspects of the home are inspected?

Home inspections emphasize safety issues as well as major systems in the house, including the following:

 

Structure, Roof, and Foundation

Home inspectors review the “bones” of your home from the foundation to the roof and everything visible in between. Any number of things can compromise your home’s structural integrity; termites, earthquakes, water leaks, settling, and even aging are just a few examples. Your home is constantly exposed to events, seen and unseen, that can jeopardize its ability to keep you and your family safe. Home inspectors uncover the issues so you can address them.

 

Appliances and Other Major Fixtures

The mechanical features in your home all have an expected life; nothing lasts forever. A regular home inspection will alert you to a garage door that needs replacing, a water heater that is approaching its maximum useful life, or a HAVC system that’s running on borrowed time. This information makes it possible to budget and plan effectively.

 

Electrical System

Electrical fires remain a significant source of home emergencies. Having a professional inspector review your electrical system, including wiring, outlets, switches, and fixtures, mitigates risk and helps keep the power running safely.

 

Plumbing

Water leaks are insidious. They can cause irreparable damage in almost no time at all, or they can go on for years without you even knowing they’re there. Water damage that’s allowed to sit leads to mold and rot, both of which might make it difficult for you to remain in your home.

 

Don’t Wait!

Don’t wait to schedule your home inspection. Spending a bit of money today on a professional inspection can save you tons of money on future problems. Prevention is worth a pound of cure, and home inspections are the best tool homeowners have for preventing catastrophes. Call to schedule your home inspection today.